Abstract:
Friction stir processing (FSP) is one of the severe plastic deformation processes which can significantly
affect the material properties. The friction stir processed (FSPed) zone is extremely sensitive to the FSP
parameters. The main aim of the current investigation is to analyze the simultaneous influence of the major
FSP parameters on the mechanical behavior of a magnesium-based AE42 alloy. In this investigation,
Taguchis experimental design approach was utilized to determine the optimized set of investigated FSP
parameters for processing the AE42 alloy. Hardness of the FSPed specimens was considered as the output
response of the experimental design. Cooling temperature during FSP, FSP tool rotational speed, and
number of FSP passes were found to be the most influential FSP parameters in the current investigation. A
nonlinear regression equation for the output response and the FSP process parameters was also developed
using MINITAB 16 software. The developed equation was found to accurately predict the output response
of the FSPed AE42 alloy
