Abstract :
The effect of Friction Stir Processing (FSP) on the mechanical properties of a Sc, Zr modified
2024 aluminium alloy was investigated in the present paper. The room temperature tensile
properties of the material were obtained in longitudinal direction respect to the processing one
and compared with those of the unstirred material and unmodified alloy. Tensile tests were
also performed at higher temperatures and different strain rates in the nugget zone. The
superplastic properties of the recrystallized material were evaluated and the differences with
the parent material as a function of the strong grain refinement due to the Friction Stir Process
were put in evidence. The high temperature behavior of the material was studied, in
longitudinal direction, by means of tensile tests in the temperature and strain rate ranges of
450–525◦C and 10−1–10−3 s−1 respectively. C 2006 Springer Science + Business Media, Inc.
