Analysis of the Homogeneity of Particle Refinement in Friction Stir Processing Al-Si Alloys

Friction Stir Processing (FSP) has potential for locally enhancing the properties of Al-Si alloy castings, for demanding applications within the automotive industry, by greatly refining the second phase particle size. In the present study, the homogeneity of particle refinement and second phase spatial distribution within the process zone, as well as the relationship to the processing parameters, were investigated in a gravity die cast Al-Si LM24/A380 alloy, subjected to a range of FSP conditions. Detailed image analysis and the dirichlet tessellation method were used to quantify particle clustering. ‘Stop-action’ experiments were also used to study the process of particle break up, by following the behaviour through the deformation zone surrounding the tool.