Microstructural Homogeneity and Hot Deformation of Various Friction-Stir-Processed 5083 Al Alloys

Diverse studies on FSP of 5083 Al alloys have been conducted, and some have made comparisons with previous studies of similar alloys, but many times such comparisons could be invalid because of differences in the parameters used during FSP, above all, tool profile. Five 5083 Al alloys produced by different production routes were friction-stir-processed and compared among themselves and with other two superplastic forming (SPF) grade 5083 Al alloys. Results suggest that the grain size refinement is independent of the original microstructure and that there is a relationship between the size of the second phase before and after FSP. The combination of continuous casting 5083 Al alloys + FSP had an outstanding behavior in hot deformation in comparison with rolled or extruded 5083 Al alloys + FSP, and even SPF 5083 Al alloys.