Friction stir processing (FSP) is a novel technique for refining the microstructure. In this study, the effect of FSP process parameters such as tool rotation, traverse speed and tool tilt on resulting grain size, microstructure and superplastic behavior of high-strength thick Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy is reported. The microstructure examination of the stir zone (SZ) was performed by optical as well as scanning electron microscope. Microstructure variation attributed to different process parameters is reflected in the SZ. It is observed that grain size increases with increasing tool rotation speed, and decreases with increasing traverse speed. However, tool tilt has no significant effect on grain size. Moreover, at higher tool tilt distorted grains were observed in microscopic images. The highest average value of hardness in the SZ is obtained for low heat input value corresponding to higher tool rotation and traverse speed. In this study, hardness has shown no dependency on the grain size of the SZ due to the strengthening of phase particles. Process parameter of 1500 rpm, 31.5 mm/min and 2° tool tilt (low heat input) only exhibited superplastic elongation of 225% at a superplastic condition of 400°C and 3 × 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹ because of an appropriate material flow without any defect.

Friction stir welding is a solid-state welding technique for joining similar and dissimilar material. Bobbin tool friction stir welding (BTFSW) is a variant of the conventional friction stir welding process (CFSW). Compared with conventional FSW, BTFSW eliminates all limitations of CFSW using a two shoulders configuration. Now, the need has arisen to review the work done on BTFSW to provide broader aspects of the technique to researchers. This paper aims at providing comprehensive insight on the BTFSW. The paper pays critical attention to tool material selection, design features of shoulder and pin surfaces, microstructure evolution, mechanical characterisation, derivatives, and challenges in this technique. Further, welding defects and future scope of BTFSW are also addressed in this paper.