Microstructural and mechanical properties of friction stir welded aluminum/copper lap joints

This paper focuses on the microstructural and mechanical properties of the friction stir welding (FSW) of 1060 aluminum alloy to a commercially pure copper. A number of FSW experiments were carried out to obtain the optimum mechanical properties by adjusting the rotational speed and welding speed in the range of 750–1500 rpm and 30–375 mm/min, respectively. Various microstructures with different morphologies and properties were observed in the stir zone. The results indicated that Al₄Cu₉, AlCu and Al₂Cu are the main intermetallic compounds formed in the interfacial region. The effect of formation of hard and brittle intermetallic phase at the interface of the joints on the shear strength of the joint is discussed.     

Dissimilar Joining of Pure Copper to Aluminum Alloy via Friction Stir Welding

In this study, the dissimilar friction stir welding(FSW) butt joints between aluminum alloy 5754-H114 and commercially pure copper were investigated. The thickness of welded plates was 4 mm and the aluminum plate was placed on the advancing side. In order to obtain a suitable flow and a better material mixing, a 1-mm offset was considered for the aluminum plate, toward the butt centerline. For investigating the microstructure and mechanical properties of FSWed joints, optical microscopy and mechanical tests(i.e., uniaxial tensile test and microhardness) were used, respectively.Furthermore, the analysis of intermetallic compounds and fracture surface was examined by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The effect of heat generation on the mechanical properties and microstructure of the FSWed joints was investigated. The results showed that there is an optimum amount of heat input. The intermetallic compounds formed in FSWed joints were Al4Cu9 and Al2Cu. The best results were found in joints with 1000 rpm rotational speed and100 mm/min travel speed. The tensile strength was found as 219 MPa, which reached 84% of the aluminum base strength.Moreover, maximum value of the microhardness of the stir zone(SZ) was attained as about 120 HV, which was greatly depended on the grain size, intermetallic compounds and copper pieces in SZ.     

搅拌针长度对搅拌摩擦搭接焊铝合金/钢异种材料接头组织性能的影响

通过搅拌摩擦搭接焊接6061铝合金/QP980钢异种材料,讨论了搅拌针长度（1.5和2.1 mm）对焊接接头组织和性能的影响。结果表明,6061铝合金/QP980钢搅拌摩擦搭接焊接头分为3层结构：上层为铝合金层,中间层为Fe、Al及金属间化合物混合层状结构,下层为钢层。其中,当搅拌针长2.1 mm时,铝合金层含有散落的钢碎片。在中间层检测到2种金属间化合物,靠近Al的深灰色层为Fe₄Al₁₃相,靠近钢的是Fe₂Al₅相。随着搅拌针长度的增加,接头的失效载荷从4 kN降低到3 kN。短探针焊接的接头在接合界面处断裂,而长探针焊接的接头在铝和钢的混合区断裂。孔洞缺陷和钢碎片是导致断裂位置发生变化的主要原因。此外,嵌入铝基体中的铁屑在变形过程中起应力集中和裂纹萌生的作用,降低了接头的力学性能。     

Effect of Intermetallic Compound Phases on the Mechanical Properties of the Dissimilar Al/Cu Friction Stir Welded Joints

Types and distribution of intermetallic compound phases and their effects on the mechanical properties of dissimilar Al/Cu friction stir welded joints were investigated. Three different rotation speeds of 1000, 1200 and 1400 rpm were used with two welding speeds of 20 and 50 mm/min. The results show that the microstructures inside the stir zone were greatly affected by the rotation speed. Complex layered structures that containing intermetallic compound phases such as CuAl₂, Al₄Cu₉ were formed in the stir zone. Their amount found to be increased with increasing rotation speed. However, the increasing of the rotation speed slightly lowered the hardness of the stir zone. Many sharp hardness peaks in the stir zones were found as a result of the intermetallic compounds formed, and the highest peaks of 420 Hv were observed at a rotation speed of 1400 rpm. The joints ultimate tensile strength reached a maximum value of 105 MPa at the rotation speed of 1200 rpm and travel speed of 20 mm/min with the joint efficiency ranged between 88 and 96% of the aluminum base metal. At the travel speed of 50 mm/min, the maximum value of the ultimate tensile strength was 96 MPa at rotation speed of 1400 rpm with the joint efficiency ranged between 79 and 90%. The fracture surfaces of tensile test specimens showed no evidence for the effect of the brittle intermetallic compounds in the stir zones on the tensile strength of the joints.     

Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of TIG and FSW Joints of a New Al-Mg-Mn-Sc-Zr Alloy

A new Al-5.8%Mg-0.4%Mn-0.25%Sc-0.10%Zr (wt.%) alloy was successfully welded by tungsten inert gas (TIG) and friction stir welding (FSW) techniques, respectively. The mechanical properties and microstructure of the welded joints were investigated by microhardness measurements, tensile tests, and microscopy methods. The results show that the ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation to failure are 358, 234 MPa, and 27.6% for TIG welded joint, and 376, 245 MPa and 31.9% for FSW joint, respectively, showing high strength and superior ductility. The TIG welded joint fails in the heat-affected zone and the fracture of FSW joint is located in stirred zone. Al-Mg-Mn-Sc-Zr alloy is characterized by lots of dislocation tangles and secondary coherent Al₃(Sc,Zr) particles. The superior mechanical properties of the TIG and FSW joints are mainly derived from the Orowan strengthening and grain boundary strengthening caused by secondary coherent Al₃(Sc,Zr) nano-particles (20-40 nm). For new Al-Mg-Mn-Sc-Zr alloy, the positive effect from secondary Al₃(Sc, Zr) particles in the base metal can be better preserved in FSW joint than in TIG welded joint.     

转速对6061铝合金/纯铜异种金属搅拌摩擦焊接头组织与性能的影响

采用搅拌摩擦焊技术对4 mm厚6061-T6铝合金和纯铜进行连接,研究转速对铝铜异种金属接头组织与力学性能的影响。结果表明,当焊接速度为30 mm/min、搅拌头转速在1 200~1 800 r/min的范围内,可以获得表面成形良好、无缺陷的铝铜异种金属接头。大量破碎的铜被搅入焊核区,形成了组织结构复杂的区域。通过EDS和XRD分析,在焊核区内发现了Al_2Cu、Al_4Cu_9和Al Cu金属间化合物。在界面处,铝和铜发生相互扩散形成金属间化合物层,随着转速的提高,化合物层逐渐变厚。由于晶粒细化、固溶强化作用以及金属间化合物的生成,异种接头的焊核区平均显微硬度值高于铝铜两侧平均硬度,并且在焊核区出现硬度峰值点。随着转速的增加,接头抗拉强度呈现先增大后减小的趋势,所得最优接头抗拉强度为183 MPa,达到铜母材的71.8%,断裂位置位于铝侧热影响区,断裂方式为韧性断裂。     

Microstructural modification and mechanical property improvement in friction stir zone of thixo-molded AE42 Mg alloy

Thixo-molded AE42 Mg alloy was friction stir welded, and the soundness of joints was evaluated, together with the microstructure evolution and mechanical properties in friction stir zones. According to X-ray radiography, the optimum FSW condition range of AE42 alloy exists between AZ61 and AZ31 alloys, and it seems that the optimum welding condition range increases with decreasing Al content in the Mg alloys. There are mainly two kinds of compounds in the thixo-molded AE42 alloy, and FSW has little influence on the grainy Al₁₀RE₂Mn₇ compound, but it has great influence on Al₁₁RE₃ phase, which is changed from lamellar eutectic to small particles after welding. Furthermore, the average diameter of Al₁₁RE₃ particles in SZ decreases with increasing the traveling speed at constant rotation speed due to less heat input. The hardness in SZ is higher than that in BM, and tensile strength and elongation are both improved after welding because the stirring refines and uniforms the microstructure and intermetallic compounds.     

Influence of tool pin design on properties of dissimilar copper to aluminum friction stir welding

Dissimilar friction stir welding (FSW) of copper and aluminum was investigated by nine different tool designs, while the rest of the process parameters were kept constant. Mechanical and metallurgical tests such as macrostructure, microstructure, tensile test, hardness, scanning electron microscope and electron X-ray spectrographs were performed to assess the properties of dissimilar joints. The results exhibited that, the maximum joint strength was achieved by the tool of cylindrical pin profile having 8 mm pin diameter. Besides, the fragmental defects increased as the number of polygonal edges decreased, hence the polygonal pin profiles were unsuitable for dissimilar FSW butt joints. Furthermore, the tensile strength increased as the number of polygonal edges increased. Stir zone of polygonal pin profiles was hard and brittle relative to cylindrical tool pin profiles for same shoulder surface. Maximum hardness of HV 283 was obtained at weld made by the polygonal square pin profile. The hard and brittle intermetallic compounds (IMCs) were prominently presented in the stir zone. Phases of IMCs such as CuAl, CuAl₂, Cu₃Al and Cu₉Al₄ were presented in the stir zone of dissimilar Cu–Al joints.     

Microstructural characterization and mechanical properties of aluminum 6061-T6 plates welded with copper insert plate (Al/Cu/Al) using friction stir welding

Friction stir welding was used to join two aluminum 6061-T6 plates with an insert of a pure copper plate (Al/Cu/Al), and then the influence of the copper insert on the joint performance was studied. The dissimilar welding results were also compared with AA 6061 friction stir welds produced without copper insert (Al/Al). Optical and scanning electron microscopes were used for the microstructural observations of the welded samples. X-ray diffraction analysis was used to analyze phase component of the Al/Cu/Al specimen. A defect-free joint was observed for the Al/Cu/Al joint at a rotational speed of 950 r/min and a welding speed of 50 mm/min. Microstructural observation of the weld nugget zone (WNZ) demonstrates the formation of composite-like structure which promotes metallurgical bonding of aluminum and copper. XRD results show the formation of intermetallic compounds (IMCs), such as Al₄Cu₉ and Al₂Cu. Furthermore, it was observed that the hardness of the weld with the Cu insert plate is higher than that of other samples due to more dislocation density and a distinct rise in hardness values was observed due to the presence of IMCs. The ultimate tensile strength of the joint with copper insert plate is higher than that of the other sample due to the strong metallurgical bonding between Al and Cu.     

Al-Mg-Mn-Sc-Zr合金板材搅拌摩擦焊和氩弧焊焊接接头的对比

研究Al-Mg-Mn-Sc-Zr合金的焊接工艺和焊接接头组织和性能。采用搅拌摩擦焊（FSW）和氩弧焊（TIG）2种焊接工艺对该合金的热轧和冷轧-退火2种使用态板材进行焊接。采用比较研究的方法测定和研究焊接接头的力学性能和显微组织,利用光学显微镜和透射电子显微镜研究焊缝的显微组织和力学性能之间的关系。结果表明,与基材相比,Al-Mg-Mn-Sc-Zr合金的热轧和冷轧-退火板材的FSW和TIG焊接接头的强度均下降,但FSW焊接系数高于TIG焊接系数。这是因为FSW焊接接头焊核区亚结构强化的丧失和Al3（Sc,Zr）的析出强化作用的极少量丧失,而TIG焊焊接接头的软化主要原因是其形变强化的完全丧失和Al3（Sc,Zr）的析出强化作用的大部分丧失,且搅拌摩擦焊焊核区晶粒比TIG焊的焊缝区晶粒更细小。     

Effect of Shoulder Size on Weld Properties of Dissimilar Metal Friction Stir Welds

This article reports a research study that shows the effect of shoulder diameter size on the resulting weld properties of dissimilar friction stir welds between 5754 aluminum alloy (AA) and C11000 copper (Cu). Welds were produced using three different shoulder diameter tools: 15, 18, and 25?mm by varying the rotational speed between 600 and 1200?rpm and the traverse speed between 50 and 300?mm/min to achieve the best result. Each parameter combination was chosen to represent different heat input conditions (low, intermediates and high). The welds were characterized through microstructural evaluation, tensile testing, microhardness measurements, x-ray diffraction analysis, and electrical resistivity. Microstructural evaluation of the welds revealed that the welds produced consisted of all the friction stir welding (FSW) microstructure zones with organized flow lines comprising mixture layers of aluminum (Al) and copper (Cu) at the Stir Zones. The average Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) of the welds considered ranged from 178 to 208?MPa. Higher Vickers microhardness values were measured at the joint interfaces of all the welds because of the presence of intermetallic compounds in these regions. The x-ray diffraction analysis revealed the presence of Al₄Cu₉ and Al₂Cu intermetallics at the interfacial regions, and low electrical resistivities were obtained at the joint interfaces. An optimized parameter setting for FSW of Al and Cu was obtained at the weld produced at 950?rpm and 50?mm/min with the 18-mm shoulder diameter tool.     

Laser welding technologies: high power diode laser application examples

The successful results presented in the literature on friction stir welding (FSW) of aluminium–steel joints ignore the appearance and formation of defects on the joint as reference points for evaluation. It also increases the controversy about the presence of intermetallic compounds of the type Fe_xAl_y, and the lack of information about its origin. The objective of this study is to determine appropriate parameters for obtaining aluminium–steel joints free of defects, and their relationship to the formation of deleterious phases during FSW. Consolidated welded joints were obtained and the microstructure resulting from these welded joints of aluminium alloy 6063-T5 and AISI steel SAE 1020 was determined. A tungsten carbide tool (WC-14Co) was used at rotation and weld speeds of 300 rpm and 150 mm min^? 1, respectively. The results highlight the importance of heat input in obtaining aluminium–steel joints with adequate surface appearance and penetration. The microstructural analysis reveals the formation of seven regions in the welded joint, highlighting the thermo-mechanically affected zone on the steel, a band of ultra-fine grains of ferrite and the absence of intermetallic compounds on the aluminium–steel interface.     

冷金属过渡搭接焊镁铝异种金属接头组织及性能

采用冷金属过渡（CMT）焊接工艺,以HS201铜焊丝作为焊缝填充金属对AZ3l镁合金和6061铝合金进行搭接焊接．测试了接头的抗剪强度和显微硬度,并利用光学显微镜（OM）、扫描电镜（SEM）、能谱（EDS）对接头的组织成分及断口形貌进行了分析．结果表明,当焊接电流为109A,电弧电压10．9V,送丝速度4．9mm／s,...     

Theoretical and experimental studies on fabrication of two-layer aluminum−copper pipe by friction stir additive manufacturing

Using a friction stir additive manufacturing (FSAM) process, the fabrication of a two-layer aluminum−copperpipe was studied experimentally and numerically. For this purpose, by presenting a 3D thermo-mechanical model in ABAQUS software, the temperature and strain distributions during the process were studied. The simulation results show that, although the rotational-to-traverse speed ratio with a good approximation can predict the heat input during welding, it is not a precise measure to predict the occurrence of defects in the weld cross-section. There is a good agreement between the predicted and experimental thermal results, and the maximum relative error is 4.1% in estimating the maximum temperature during welding. Due to heat and severe plastic deformationin the stir zone, the aluminum−copper intermetallic compounds (CuAl₂ and Cu₉Al₄) are formed. The maximum hardness in the stir zone is 301.4 HV_0.1in sample welded with an overlap of −0.5 mm.The ultimate tensile strength and elongation of the two-layer pipe fabricated by friction stir additive manufacturingare(319.52±2.31) MPa and 19.47%, respectively.     

Microstructure evolution and microhardness of friction stir welded cast aluminum bronze

Microstructural characteristics and mechanical properties of a friction stir welded cast aluminum bronze (Cu–9Al–1Fe), produced by a sand casting method, have been investigated at tool rotation of 850–1500 rpm and traverse speed of 50–100 mm/min. Refinement of the primary coarse cast microstructure in the base metal was seen after friction stir welding. Microstructure of the stir zone was characterized in four distinct areas of non-isometric fine grains while a significant grain growth was noticed in some of the areas. Conditions of grain growth are defined with high heat input intensity and low heat transfer capability. The grain size was observed to decrease after FSW, resulting in a greater microhardness across the welded region from about 100 HV in the base metal to about 150 HV at the center of the stir zone. The increased hardness in the stir zone may have stemmed from the locally refined grain size according to Hall–Petch relation.     

Multi-objective optimization of friction stir welding parameters using desirability approach to join Al/SiCp metal matrix composites

Silicon carbide particulate (SiC_p) reinforced cast aluminium (Al) based metal matrix composites (MMCs) have gained wide acceptance in the fabrication of light weight structures requiring high specific strength, high temperature capability and good wear resistance. Friction stir welding (FSW) process parameters play major role in deciding the performance of welded joints. The ultimate tensile strength, notch tensile strength and weld nugget hardness of friction stir butt welded joints of cast Al/SiC_p MMCs (AA6061 with 20% (volume fraction) of SiC_p) were investigated. The relationships between the FSW process parameters (rotational speed, welding speed and axial force) and the responses (ultimate tensile strength, notch tensile strength and weld nugget hardness) were established. The optimal welding parameters to maximize the mechanical properties were identified by using desirability approach. From this investigation, it is found that the joints fabricated with the tool rotational speed of 1370 r/min, welding speed of 88.9 mm/min, and axial force of 9.6 kN yield the maximum ultimate tensile strength, notch tensile strength and hardness of 265 MPa, 201 MPa and HV114, respectively.     

2A12铝合金FSW板材时效成形性研究

为评价2A12铝合金搅拌摩擦焊构件时效成形工艺,设计了以时间参数为变量的焊后时效成形工艺模拟试验,进行了FSW(FSW-搅拌摩擦焊)焊件蠕变时效力学性能及成形性研究。结果表明,在搅拌头转速750 r/min、焊速60 mm/s的焊接工艺参数下,当时效成形时间为8 h时,FSW焊接件抗拉强度达到354.1 MPa,为母材强度的79.2%,其断裂位置基本位于热影响区前进侧。在该工艺下最佳回弹时间为8 h,此时回弹率为33.49%。硬度最低点在热影响区,该区域内硬度随时效时间的增加呈递减趋势。     

Influence of addition of Grp/Al2O3p with SiCp on wear properties of aluminum alloy 6061-T6 hybrid composites via friction stir processing

Aluminum alloy base surface hybrid composites were fabricated by incorporating with mixture of (SiC+Gr) and (SiC+Al₂O₃) particles of 20 μm in average size on an aluminum alloy 6061-T6 plate using friction stir processing (FSP). Microstructures of both the surface hybrid composites revealed that SiC, Gr and Al₂O₃are uniformly dispersed in the nugget zone (NZ). It was observed that the addition of Gr particles rather than Al₂O₃ particles with SiC particles, decreases the microhardness but immensely increases the dry sliding wear resistance of aluminum alloy 6061-T6 surface hybrid composite. The observed microhardness and wear properties are correlated with microstructures and worn micrographs.     

Microstructure and Properties of TIG/FSW Welded Joints of a New Al-Zn-Mg-Sc-Zr Alloy

A new Al-Zn-Mg-Sc-Zr alloy with low Sc content was welded by tungsten inert gas (TIG) and friction stir welding (FSW) techniques. The microstructure and properties of those two welded joints were investigated by property tests and microstructural observations. The results show that the new Al-Zn-Mg-Sc-Zr alloy has desirable welding property. The ultimate tensile strength and welding coefficient of the TIG joint reach 405 MPa and 76.7%, respectively, and in FSW joint those property values reach 490 MPa and 92.6%, respectively. The studied base metal has a deformed fibrous subgrains structure, many nano-scaled Al₃(Sc,Zr) particles, and very fine aging precipitates. In the TIG joint, the fusion zone consists of coarsened dendritic grains and the heat-affected zone (HAZ) has fibrous micro-scaled subgrains. The FSW welded joint is characterized by a weld nugget zone, thermo-mechanically affected zone (TMAZ), and HAZ. Due to plastic deformation around the rotating pin and anti-recrystallized effectiveness of Al₃(Sc,Zr) particles, the weld nugget zone has a very fine subgrain structure. The TMAZ experiences some dissolution of aging precipitates. Coarsening of aging precipitates was observed in the HAZ. The better mechanical properties of the FSW joint are derived from a fine subgrain structure and homogeneous chemical compositions.     

2219铝合金FSW和TIG焊接头力学与腐蚀行为

评价了2219-CS铝合金FSW和TIG焊接头的力学性能,并采用晶间腐蚀、剥落腐蚀及电化学腐蚀方法对2219-CS铝合金FSW和TIG焊接头进行了整体及分区域腐蚀行为表征,借助光学显微镜和扫描电子显微镜分析了表面腐蚀形貌. 结果表明,搅拌摩擦焊接头焊核区的细晶结构和弥散再分布的沉淀相大幅度提高了其耐腐蚀性能,热影响区中沉淀相回溶及粗化较TIG焊接头热影响区较弱,耐腐蚀性能有一定提高,搅拌摩擦焊接头的高电化学均质性宏观表现为其整体腐蚀速率的显著降低.