Optimization of Friction Stir Processing Parameters of Recycled AA 6063 for Enhanced Surface Microhardness and Tribological Properties

Abstract

This work aims to optimize the friction stir processing parameters of recycled aluminum alloy 6063 for enhanced mechanical and tribological properties. The selected friction stir processing parameters that were used to produce friction stir processed recycled aluminum alloy 6063 are tool rotational speeds and feed rates ranging from 1200 rpm to 2000 rpm and 25 mm/min to 45 mm/min, respectively. The surface microhardness of the friction stir processed samples were measured and the friction and wear tests were conducted using a pin-on-disc tribo-tester under starved lubrication conditions. The results show that the optimum friction stir process parameters for recycled aluminum alloy 6063 are 1200 rpm and 30 mm/min. Friction stir processed recycled aluminum alloy 6063 produced by these parameters led to enhancement of microhardness and the wear resistance by 25% and 37%, and reduction of friction coefficient and grain size by about 33% and 96%, respectively.