Microstructural Evolution in Various Regions of Stir Zone during Friction Stir Processing of Al-7Si-0.3Mg Cast Alloy

Castings may be used more as structural components if friction stir (FS) processing could refine the microstructures satisfactorily. For this, material flow and the formation of various microstructural regions during FS were studied. It was found that alpha-Al dendrites and eutectic Al-Si were sheared into the thread spaces and the microstructures were significantly modified and refined. Material merely dragged into the FS zone remains microstructurally segregated. The volume of each flow was affected by rotation speed and forward speed and the reason for this is explained. Finally, textures determined together with the strain values estimated are presented to discuss further the microstructual development in various stir zones.