Friction stir processing of aluminum alloys

In most of the industries like automobile, aircraft, shipbuilding, etc., surface composites play an important role as they enhance strength, hardness, and microstructure. Friction Stir Processing is a solid-state surface alteration and surface engineering technique employed for development of Metal Matrix Composite surfaces. It enables alteration of the surface, control of microstructure, enhancement of wear and improvement in mechanical properties. This process was first initiated with Al-based alloys for enhancing their mechanical properties and now extended to the fabrication of various other alloys also such as Mg, Ti, Cu, etc. An effort is made in this article to review the current trends and future scope of Al alloy composites using FSP including various FSP strategies applied to improve surface characteristics, hardness, microstructure, enhancement of wear.