Aluminium was subjected to friction stir processing (FSP) and the microtexture developed during the process was analysed by electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD). The color code corresponds to the orientation of the grains. The {111} pole figure (top images) and [001] inverse pole figure (bottom) show the orientations developed at the advancing, center and retreating side of the stir zone (i.e. either side from the center of the stir zone). The maximum intensity indicated is the times random orientation. It can be seen that there is a strong preference towards (001) orientation (represented by red colour) at the center.

Further details can be found at here and here.

Posted by Dr. Ranjit Bauri.