Friction Stir Processing Strategies for Uniform Distribution of Reinforcement in a Surface Composite

Friction stir processing (FSP) is an important technique for preparing surface composites. Fabricating defect-free surface composites with uniform particle distribution by FSP is a challenging task. In this study, silicon carbide particles reinforced AA5083 alloy surface composites was fabricated using different FSP strategies including variation in process parameters, dual-tool processing and tool offset overlapping. Material flow of the processed material with reinforcement particles demonstrated that the distribution of particles was influenced by the stirring action of the probe as well as the extrusion of the plasticized material due to the movement of the tool. Process parameters, particularly rotational speed, showed a dominant influence on the distribution of silicon carbide particles.