Effect of Processing Parameters on the Mechanical Properties of Interstitial Free Steel Subjected to Friction Stir Processing

In the present work, the effect of friction stir processing parameters on the mechanical properties of an interstitial free steel was studied. Four rotating speeds (800, 1250, 1600, 2000 rpm) and two traverse speeds (31.5 and 63 mm/min) were employed. On both sides of specimens, a nanograin layer with the thickness and nanograins of 150 μm and 50-100 nm were formed, respectively. For the specimen processed at rotating speed of 1600 rpm and the traverse speed of 31.5 mm/min, the maximum strength was achieved, which was about 80% increase in the strength comparing to that of base material. For constant traverse speed, the increase in the rotation speed from 800 to 1600 rpm led to a decrease in uniform and total elongation of friction stir processed samples. By contrast, when the rotating speed exceeded 1600 rpm, the uniform and total elongation was increased again, while there was a drop in strength. The results of microhardness indicate more than threefold increase in the hardness of the stirred zone comparing to that of base material.