In the present investigation, the effect of friction stir processing (FSP) parameters on the microstructure, hardness, corrosion and electrical conductivity of AA7020-T6 aluminum alloy was investigated. The alloy was friction stir (FS) processed using different tool rotational and traverse speeds. The results revealed that increasing the tool rotational speed and/or reducing the traverse speed increase(s) the average size of the α-Al primary phase grains, at the central portions, of the stirred zones (SZs). Increasing tool rotational speed and/or reducing the traverse speed tend(s) to increase the size of the second phase precipitates. The FS processed regions exhibited lower hardness than the base alloy. Increasing the tool rotational speed and/or reducing the traverse speed increase(s) the hardness at SZs. The central regions of SZs exhibited lower electrical conductivities than the base alloy. However, increasing the tool traverse speed and/or tool rotational speed increase(s) the electrical conductivity of the central regions of SZs. The corrosion resistance of the SZs increases by reducing the tool rotational speed and/or increasing the tool traverse speed. |
