Variants of friction stir based processes: review on process fundamentals, material attributes and mechanical properties

Friction stir-based variants have entirely changed the outdated component manufacturing method. Magnanimously, it has reached notable achievement in the joining, fabricating and processing of aluminum materials. This research article aims to review the various classifications of friction stir-based techniques. Friction stir-based techniques have improved the joining method along with microstructure and mechanical properties of the material. This article will enlighten the recent progress on friction stir additive manufacturing techniques applied on alloys or fabrication of composites, friction stir welding, additive friction stir deposition, friction stir processing and friction stir cladding. Mechanical properties, feasibility, applications, limitations and process parameters are discussed in details. This review article will help industry persons and academicians to know the process parameters of various techniques along with the outcomes and changes in mechanical and microstructural properties. In the last, challenges in variants of friction stir-based processes were also mentioned.