Abstract

DIEGUEZ, Tomás  and  SVOBODA, Hernán G. Thermal stability of aluminum alloys processed by friction-stir (FSP). Rev. LatinAm. Metal. Mater. [online]. 2012, vol.32, n.2, pp.225-235. ISSN 0255-6952.

Superplastic forming (SPF) has become in recent times as a potential technological process based on the superplastic behavior that demonstrate different alloys, finding applications in aerospace, aeronautic and automotive industries. This behavior allows reaching strains of 8000% due to the mechanism of grain boundary sliding (GBS). In fine structure superplasticity (FSS), the refinement of grain size favors the above deformation mechanism. The processing of materials by friction-stir (FSP) is a newly developing issue and produces a strong grain refinement. The thermal stability of the fine structure produced is a key aspect, whereby only few systematic studies on the influence of processing parametres on thermal stability of the microstructures obtained by FSP are available. The aim of this study was to evaluate the thermal stability of aluminum alloys processed by FSP. Samples of AA5052, AA5088 and AA7075 were processed by Friction Stir, under different rotation and feed speeds. Extracted samples were heat treated to different temperatures, between 310 and 550°C, analyzing the thermal stability of the microstructure. Critical time and temperatures were determined for the start of abnormal grain growth (AGG). A strong influence of processing parameters on microstructural evolution was detected. It was observed that stability increased with decreasing the rate of speeds.

Keywords : Aluminum; Friction Stir Processing (FSP); thermal stability; abnormal grain growth (AGG).