On effect of FSP on microstructural and mechanical characteristics of A390 hypereutectic Al–Si alloy

AbstractIn the present article, the effect of friction stir processing (FSP) on the microstructural and mechanical characteristics of A390 hypereutectic Al–Si alloy was studied. The effect of tool rotational speed ω, traverse speed υ and the number of passes on such characteristics was investigated. The results showed that FSP significantly improved the microstructural characteristics of A390 Al alloy by reducing the structural defects found in the as cast alloy such as porosity and the size of α-Al primary grains as well as the size of the primary Si particles. The size of Si particulates was found to be reduced by reducing the tool rotational speed, increasing tool traverse speed and increasing the number of FSP passes.