Friction stir processing was used for local modification of powder metallurgy alloys and to prepare a surface composite for wear and friction applications. Sintered Al 2014 compacts were processed to two different conditions; stirred and stirred plus heat treated to T6. Al 6061 compacts were processed to three different conditions, green compacts were stirred, sintered compacts were stirred, and sintered compacts were stirred and then treated to T6. The two alloys in the different conditions were tested for mechanical properties. In all cases the materials in the stirred volume was superior to the unstirred material. Furthermore heat treating to the T6 condition enhanced all the measured properties in the stirred volume with the only exception being ductility --Abstract, page iv
