The present study investigates the mechanical and corrosion properties of reinforced 6061[Formula: see text]T6 aluminum samples after friction stir processing. Three different composites are fabricated: one without any powder and the others with micrometer and nanometer alumina powder (Al2O3) as reinforcing particles. The hardness, tensile, and potentiodynamic polarization tests are performed to compare the new samples with the base metal. The results show that friction stir processing has increased the tensile and ultimate strength of the composites by an average of 181% compared to the base metal which is due to the microstructure changes including grain distribution refinement and the elimination of defects and micro-voids through localized plastic deformation. The strength of the composites with additives is significantly affected by the size of the particles. The hardness of the processed samples has also increased compared to the base metal by 200%. Despite these enhancements, the corrosion resistance of new samples has decreased by 70%, which can be due to the numerous dislocations in the stress-induced stir zone, creating lattice deformations and causing the breakdown of the passive protective layer. The analysis of fracture surface topography through a Fractography method revealed a specific anaglyph consisting of dimples of various shapes, sizes, and dispersion and further confirmed the tensile test results.

The present study investigates the mechanical and corrosion properties of reinforced 6061\(-\)T6 Aluminum samples after friction stir processing. Three different composites are fabricated: one without any powder and the others with micrometer and nanometer alumina powder (\({Al}_{2}{O}_{3}\)) as reinforcing particles. The hardness, tensile, and Potentiodynamic polarization tests are performed to compare the new samples with the base metal. The results show that friction stir processing has increased the tensile and ultimate strength of the composites by an average of 181 % comared to the base metal. The strength of the composites with additives is significantly affected by the size of the particles. The hardness of the processed samples has also increased compared to the base metal by 200 %. Depite these enhancements, corrosion resistance of new samples has decreased, which can be due to the numerous dislocations in the stress-induced stir zone, creating lattice deformations and causing the breakdown of the passive protective layer. The analysis of fracture surface topography through a Fractography method revealed a specific anaglyph consisting of dimples of various shapes, sizes, and dispersion and further confirmed the tensile test results.

This study examines how friction stir processing parameters affect the properties of AA6061/Al2O3 nanocomposites. The tool geometry is one of the key factors in this process, which affects the contact area between the tool and the workpiece, as well as the resulting heat generated by rotational speed, traverse speed, dwell time, and tool tilt. Tools with conical geometry exhibit pulsating mixing behavior, where a higher pulse production results in smaller particle size, more uniform distribution of reinforcing particles within the metallic matrix, and consequently, improved tensile strength and hardness. Based on experimental studies and extensive trial and error, it has been established that square tools generate a higher number of pulses, leading to the attainment of superior mechanical properties for aluminum alloys. Therefore, in this research, the conical tool geometry with sample number 4 was chosen.

The present study investigates the mechanical and corrosion properties of reinforced 6061-T6 Aluminum samples after friction stir processing. Three different composites are fabricated: one without any powder and the others with micrometer and nanometer alumina powder ({Al}_2O_3) as reinforcing particles. The hardness, tensile, and Potentiodynamic polarization tests are performed to compare the new samples with the base metal. The results show that friction stir processing has increased the tensile and ultimate strength of the composites by an average of 181 % compared to the base metal. The strength of the composites with additives is significantly affected by the size of the particles. The hardness of the processed samples has also increased compared to the base metal by 200 %. Despite these enhancements, corrosion resistance of new samples has decreased, which can be due to the numerous dislocations in the stress-induced stir zone, creating lattice deformations and causing the breakdown of the passive protective layer. The analysis of fracture surface topography through a Fractography method revealed a specific anaglyph consisting of dimples of various shapes, sizes, and dispersion and further confirmed the tensile test results.

The present study investigates the mechanical and corrosion properties of reinforced 6061TT6 Aluminum samples after friction stir processing. Three different composites are fabricated: one without any powder and the others with micrometer and nanometer alumina powder (h) as reinforcing particles. The hardness, tensile, and Potentiodynamic polarization tests are performed to compare the new samples with the base metal. The results show that friction stir processing has increased the tensile and ultimate strength of the composites by an average of 181 % compared to the base metal. The strength of the composites with additives is significantly affected by the size of the particles. The hardness of the processed samples has also increased compared to the base metal by 200 %. Despite these enhancements, corrosion resistance of new samples has decreased, which can be due to the numerous dislocations in the stress-induced stir zone, creating lattice deformations and causing the breakdown of the passive protective layer. The analysis of fracture surface topography through a Fractography method revealed a specific anaglyph consisting of dimples of various shapes, sizes, and dispersion and further confirmed the tensile test results.