Effect of Friction Stir Processing on Fatigue Properties of Al 6061-T6 Plates and Optimizing the FSP Parameters Using Machine Learning

Al 6061-T6 plates were modified using friction stir processing (FSP) and were subjected to fatigue appraisal. Friction stir Processing is carried out by varying two sets of parameters. Static tests and Fatigue tests were carried out for Base and FSP material. Friction Stir Processing resulted in a significant improvement in fatigue life of FSP Al 6061-T6 plates when compared to base material, where static strength showed no improvement. One of the FSP conditions showed an excellent improvement in fatigue life. Optimization of friction stir processing parameters is carried out using Machine learning. The enhancement of fatigue life was credited to notable refinement of grains, uniformity achieved in microstructure, and the eradication of porosity.