A Comprehensive Review on the Impact of Reinforced Nanoparticles in Friction Stir Welded Aluminium Alloys: An Analysis of Process Parameters and Mechanical Properties

Abstract

Aluminum and its diverse alloys are widely utilized in numerous structural applications owing to their distinct characteristics. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of aluminum alloys can be enhanced further through their utilization in the fabrication of metal matrix composites (MMCs). In contemporary times, friction stir processing (FSP) is increasingly employed as a surface modification technique. FSP enhances the surface properties of materials by subjecting them to severe plastic deformation, mixing, and fragmentation of the base material through the spinning action of a rotating tool, coupled with the heat generated by friction. This paper provides a thorough examination of the research conducted in the realm of friction stir welding (FSW) and friction stir processing involving the aluminium alloys with nanoparticles reinforcement and also the strategies involved during reinforcement. It scrutinizes the effects of reinforced nanoparticles on processing parameters, explores the formation of microstructures, and assesses the resulting mechanical properties.