Abstract
Friction stir welding (FSW) is a relatively new solid-state joining process primarily for aluminum alloys. FSW has been generating interest because of its association with friction stir processing (FSP), a new technique that essentially employs FSW tooling. FSP is being explored as a thermo-mechanical processing technique to transform a heterogeneous microstructure into a more homogenous microstructure. However, very little information is available regarding FSP characteristics of superplastic alloys. In this study we discuss the trials of Friction Stir Processing (FSP) on Zn-22Al superplastic alloy. Specially, the effects of FSP parameters on strength anisotropy and in-plain anisotropy have been researched. The results were discussed in terms of residual microstructure, mechanical properties and the superplastic properties.
