Friction Stir Processing at High Rotation Rates of a Magnesium Alloy: Mechanical Properties at High Temperatures and Microstructure

A high-pressure die-cast magnesium alloy plate was friction stir processed at high rotation rates with different advancing speeds. The stirred zone was very narrow around the tool and this made the friction stir process difficult to occur in the whole thickness of the plate. Intermetallic-phase network at grain boundaries was refined due to partial dissolution and fragmentation of Mg17Al12 β-phase during the friction stir process; the likely increment of solute content in solid solution was exploited for aging to improve hardness. The ductility of friction stir processed samples deformed at 300° and 350°C substantially increased compared to the base material and to room temperature strained samples.