In-situ Composition of Al/Al3Mg2 on Al-1050 Surface by Friction Stir Processing

In order to improve the structural and mechanical properties of Al-1050, Al/Mg composite was processed on the surface of this alloy by using friction stir processing. Structural studies showed that one pass FSP on the as-received aluminum substrate changed the grain shape from stretched grains to equiaxed. Microstructural studies by scanning electron microscope equipped with EDS spot analysis and X-ray diffraction phase analysis revealed the formation of Al3Mg2 intermetallic compound in the 4-pass FS-processed sample. Microstructural studies revealed the significant effect of number of FSP passes and using of Mg particles on the grain size of the FSP area, i.e. grain size in this area changed from 5010 μm in the FS-processed sample with one pass and without Mg particles to 62 μm in FS-Processed sample with four passes and Mg particles. Tensile strength test showed a 70% improvement of tensile strength of the composite compared to that of the base metal.