Effect of tool pin design on the microstructural evolutions and tribological characteristics of friction stir processed structural steel

In this research, friction stir processing (FSP) technique is applied for the surface modification of ST14 structural steel. Tungsten carbide tools with cylindrical, conical, square and triangular pin designs are used for surface modification at rotational speed of 400 rpm, normal force of 5 KN and traverse speed of 100 mm min (1). Mechanical and tribological properties of the processed surfaces including microhardness and wear characteristics are studied in detail. Furthermore, microstructural evolutions and worn surfaces are investigated by optical and scanning electron microscopes. Based on the achievements, all designed pins were successfully applicable for low carbon steel to produce defect-free processed material. By the microstructural changes within the stirred zone, the processed specimen is obtained higher mechanical properties. This is due to the formation of fine grains as the consequence of imposing intensive plastic deformation during FSP; however, this issue is highlighted by using square pin design. In this case, minimum grain size of 5 mu m and maximum hardness of 320 VHN, as well as, maximum wear resistance are all examined for the specimen modified by square pin. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.