Characterization of the tensile properties of friction stir welded aluminum alloy joints based on axial force,traverse speed,and rotational speed

Friction stir welding (FSW) process has gained attention in recent years because of its advantages over the conventional fusion welding process. These advantages include the absence of heat formation in the affected zone and the absence of large distortion, porosity, oxidation, and cracking. Experimental investigations are necessary to understand the physical behavior that causes the high tensile strength of welded joints of different metals and alloys. Existing literature indicates that tensile properties exhibit strong dependence on the rotational speed, traverse speed, and axial force of the tool that was used. Therefore, this study introduces the experimental procedure for measuring tensile properties, namely, ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and tensile elongation of the welded AA 7020 Al alloy. Experimental findings suggest that a welded part with high UTS can be achieved at a lower heat input compared with the high heat input condition. A numerical approach based on genetic programming is employed to produce the functional relationships between tensile properties and the three inputs (rotational speed, traverse speed, and axial force) of the FSW process. The formulated models were validated based on the experimental data, using the statistical metrics. The effect of the three inputs on the tensile properties was investigated using 2D and 3D analyses. A high UTS was achieved, including a rotational speed of 1050 r/min and traverse speed of 95 mm/min. The results also indicate that 8 kN axial force should be set prior to the FSW process.     

Influences of tool pin profile and axial force on the formation of friction stir processing zone in AA6061 aluminium alloy

AA6061 aluminium alloy (Al-Mg-Si alloy) has gathered wide acceptance in the fabrication of light weight structures requiring a high strength-to-weight ratio and good corrosion resistance. Compared to the fusion welding processes that are routinely used for joining structural aluminium alloys, the friction stir welding (FSW) process is an emerging solid state joining process in which the material that is being welded does not melt and recast. This process uses a non-consumable tool to generate frictional heat in the abutting surfaces. The welding parameters such as tool rotational speed, welding speed, axial force etc., and the tool pin profile plays a major role in deciding the weld quality. In this investigation an attempt has been made to understand the effect of axial force and tool pin profiles on FSP zone formation in AA6061 aluminium alloy. Five different tool pin profiles (straight cylindrical, tapered cylindrical, threaded cylindrical, triangular and square) have been used to fabricate the joints at three different axial force levels. The formation of FSP zone has been analysed macroscopically. Tensile properties of the joints have been evaluated and correlated with the FSP zone formation. From this investigation it is found that the square tool pin profile produces mechanically sound and metallurgically defect free welds compared to other tool pin profiles.     

Friction stir welding of AZ61A magnesium alloy

This paper deals with the development of an empirical relationship to predict tensile strength of friction stir welded AZ61A magnesium alloy. The process parameters such as tool rotational speed, welding speed, axial force and tool pin profile play a major role in deciding the tensile strength. The response surface method (RSM) was used to develop the empirical relationship. The four-factor, five-level central composite design was used to minimize the number of experimental conditions. The developed empirical relationship can be effectively used to predict tensile strength of friction stir welded AZ61A magnesium alloy joints at 95 % confidence level.     

Influence of machine variables and tool profile on the tensile strength of dissimilar AA7075-AA6061 friction stir welds

Friction stir welding (FSW) of dissimilar alloys and materials is becoming progressively essential as it permits to take the benefits of both materials. Tensile strength is a measure of the weld quality, which mainly depends on machine variables and tool design. In this paper, FSW of dissimilar AA7075-AA6061 aluminium alloys was studied with respect to the welding speeds (rotational and axial), tool tilt angle and tool geometry by the response surface methodology (RSM) with central composite design (CCD). A reduced second-order polynomial equation was successfully developed and validated to adequately fit the observed results of the ultimate tensile strength (UTS). Respectable fitness and well agreement between the experimental and calculated values with an elevated regression coefficient and low deviation were detected for this model within the range of the operating variables. Five tools with concave shoulders and different probe profiles (cylindrical and tapered, smooth and threaded, flatted and non-flatted) and a self-designed backing plate and clamping system were fabricated for this study. It was found that the welding tool with a threaded truncated cone pin and single flat results in a sound weld with higher tensile strength, wide nugget area and smooth surface finish.     

A study on mechanical characteristics of the friction stir welded A6005-T5 extrusion

In this paper, A6005-T5 extruded aluminum alloy sheets which are used for floor, roof or wall panels of railroad vehicles were welded by the friction stir welding (FSW) and gas metal arc welding (GMAW) techniques. The mechanical characteristics including the tensile strength, micro-hardness and fatigue strength of the FSW joint were compared to those of the base metal and GMAW joints. In order to determine the relationship between the welding variables of FSW and the mechanical characteristics of the joint, the response function was derived using the least square method and the sensitivity analysis was performed. The rotational speed, welding speed and tilting angle of the welding tool were chosen as design variables. On the basis of the Plackett-Burman design table, eight different FSW experiments were done, and then the effects of design variables on the mechanical characteristics of the FSW joint were analyzed. The result showed that the welding speed has a most significant effect on the tensile and fatigue strength. In the case of the micro-hardness, the effect of the tilting angle was the biggest.     

2219铝合金双轴肩搅拌摩擦焊工艺及接头组织性能研究

通过对8mm厚2219铝合金进行双轴肩搅拌摩擦焊试验,研究了不同焊接速度对接头成形、组织演变及其对力学性能的影响规律。工艺试验结果表明:在固定转速(200r/min)下,不同焊接速度下的接头均成形良好,未出现微裂纹、隧道以及疏松等焊缝表面缺陷。随着焊接速度的增加,接头区域晶粒尺寸减小;接头显微硬度受到晶粒尺寸与沉淀相分布的制约,硬度分布曲线呈“W”形,热影响区硬度最低。并且随着焊接速度的增加,接头最低硬度和抗拉强度逐渐提高,断裂位置发生在热影响区与热影响区交界处。在焊接速度为350mm/min时,接头抗拉强度达到最大值335MPa,约为母材的72.8%。     

Multi-response optimization using the Taguchi-based grey relational analysis: a case study for dissimilar friction stir butt welding of AA6082-T6/AA5754-H111

This paper presents a multi-response optimization process for dissimilar friction stir welding of AA6082/AA5754 aluminum alloys. An L₉ orthogonal array was constituted for the experiments. Three welding parameters—tool shoulder diameter-to-pin diameter (D/d) ratio, tool rotational speed (TRS), and welding speed (WS)—were associated with tensile strength and elongation. An optimization process was started to determine the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio. Grey relational analyses were performed utilizing the S/N ratio. According to the results of a series of analyses, the optimal welding condition was determined as 4 for D/d, 1,000 rpm for TRS, and 100 mm/min for WS. The analysis of variance results showed that all the welding parameters are statistically significant at 95 % confidence level. Additionally, the joint efficiency of welding fabricated at the optimal condition was compared for both AA6082 and AA5754. This revealed that the joint efficiency is 66 % for AA6082 and 92 % for AA5754.     

Optimization of friction stir welding process of AA7075 aluminum alloy to achieve desirable mechanical properties using ANFIS models and simulated annealing algorithm

Current work deals with experimental investigation, modeling, and optimization of friction stir welding process (FSW) to reach desirable mechanical properties of aluminum 7075 plates. Main factors of process were tool pin profile, tool rotary speed, welding speed, and welding axial force. Also, main responses were tensile strength, yield strength, and hardness of welded zone. Four factors and five levels of central composite design have been utilized to minimize the number of experimental observations. Then, adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference systems (ANFIS) have been used to generate mapping relationship between process factors and main response using experimental observations. Afterward, the developed models were applied as objective function to select optimal parameters, in which the process reaches to its desirable mechanical properties by using the simulated annealing algorithm. Results indicated that the tool with square pin profile, rotary speed of 1,400 RPM, welding speed of 1.75 mm/s, and axial force of 7.5 KN resulted in desirable mechanical properties in both cases of single response and multi-response optimization. Also, these solutions have been verified by confirmation tests and FSW process physical behavior. These verifications indicated that both ANFIS model and simulated annealing algorithm are appropriate tools for modeling and optimization of process.     

6061/A356异种铝合金脉冲MIG搭接焊*

利用直流脉冲MIG焊接技术,进行6061变形铝合金与A356铸造铝合金板材的搭接焊接,并分析接头的力学性能、微观组织及元素分布。拉伸试验结果表明,当A356铸造铝合金板在上,6061变形铝合金板在下,焊枪行走速度为10 mm/s时,搭接接头抗拉强度最高,为95 MPa。接头拉伸试样的断裂位置都位于焊缝区,断裂形式主要为混合型断裂。微观组织及元素分析结果表明,在A356铝合金一侧的部分熔融区内发生Fe和Mg元素偏聚,形成了片状Al-Fe-Si相和颗粒状Al-Fe-Mg-Si相,这两种富Fe相会削弱接头性能。在6061铝合金一侧的部分熔融区内产生了晶界液化,形成了Al-Mg-Si-Cu相+Al固溶体贫化区的液化组织,且该相周围有Fe元素偏聚。三角区是接头中最薄弱的位置,接头拉伸试样均起裂于此并最终断裂于焊缝。     

Influence of energy induced from processing parameters on the mechanical properties of friction stir welded lap joint of aluminum to coated steel sheet

Friction stir welding has been attempted to evaluate joint strength of lap joint between aluminum sheet (AA6063) and zinc-coated steel (HIF-GA) sheet under different combination of rotational speed and traverse speed. The shear strength decreases significantly when rotational speed increases from 700 to 1,500 rpm at a traverse speed of 30 mm/min. At traverse speed of 50 mm/min, increasing rotational speed from 700 to 1,500 rpm, shear strength remains more or less the same. However, at a traverse speed of 100 mm/min, the shear strength increases significantly with increasing rotational speed from 700 to 1,500 rpm. Essentially, higher fracture load of the lap joint is obtained within a certain range of energy. The results have been correlated with the microstructural characteristics at the bond interface using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, electron probe micro analyzer, and X-ray diffraction. The results show that characteristics of intermetallic compound formed at the interface derived from energy input takes predominating role towards lap joint of Al and coated steel. Furthermore, force and torque responses influenced by the processing parameters can be utilized as weld quality check.     

Analyzing dissimilar friction stir welding of AA5754/AA7075

AA5754/AA7075 was butt-welded by friction stir welding, and the joint of each weld case was identified by ultimate tensile strength, percentage of elongation, and hardness. Moreover, the significance of each parameter was investigated, and a mathematical relation was constructed by regression analysis. A defect-free joint was achieved in the case of a weld produced with 1000 rpm of tool rotational speed, 80 mm/min of welding speed, and an 22-mm tool shoulder diameter. Most of the failures are located at the bottom of the pin and side of AA7075. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) decreases with increasing welding speed (WS) or increasing tool rotational speed (TRS). Hardness distribution in the weld zones varied dependent on the nugget zone formation affected by TRS and WS. The present study also investigated the significance and contribution of each parameter on the UTS by analysis of variance (ANOVA). From the results of ANOVA, the conclusion reached is that the all the parameters have a great influence on UTS. The contributions are 41.41 % for WS, 17.58 % for diameter, and 13.28 % for TRS. Moreover, a full quadratic model was constructed between the parameters and the UTS value. The results show that the variation from the predicted values was between 0.41 % and 10.36 %. The strength of the model was analyzed by R-Sq. The achieved R-Sq is 0.892, which means that there is a strong relation between predicted and actual values.     

轴向拉力对铝合金拉拔式摩擦塞焊接头组织及力学性能的影响

拉拔式摩擦塞补焊是一种固相连接技术,具有接头强度高,焊后残余应力和变形小等优点,在航天领域具有潜在的应用前景。研究轴向拉力对2A70铝合金拉拔式摩擦塞焊焊接成形及接头性能的影响,并分析焊接缺陷、微观组织及断口形貌特征。结果表明,轴向拉力在20~30 kN范围内能够得到良好的焊缝成形;轴向拉力为20 kN时,结合界面存在未焊合缺陷;轴向拉力提高至22 kN及以上,未焊合缺陷完全消除;轴向拉力提高至28~30 kN时,塞棒与母材形成完好的冶金结合,焊接接头的抗拉强度可达到376 MPa,接头系数为83.6%。当轴向拉力较低时（22~25 kN）,结合界面上易出现弱结合缺陷,微观特征为沿结合界面断续分布的微孔,可导致接头抗拉强度和断后伸长率下降;焊接接头中,塞棒侧热影响区硬度值最低,分析表明该区域的晶粒形态和尺寸未发生明显变化,但θ'相部分溶解,θ相发生粗化,导致局部强度下降;断口形貌显示,在优化参数下断口呈现韧性特征。研究结果可为铝合金拉拔式摩擦塞补焊工艺及机理分析提供借鉴和参考价值。     

Half-transient liquid phase diffusion welding: An approach for diffusion welding of SiCp/A356 with Cu interlayer

Aluminum matrix composite SiC_p/A356 was welded by half-transient liquid Phase diffusion welding (HTLPDW) with a Cu interlayer. The effects of welding parameters and interlayer thickness on the properties of the welded joint were investigated, and the optimal welding parameters were subsequently put forward. The relationship between the tensile strength of the joint and the microstructure was studied by analyzing the microstructure of joint using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and an electron probe micro-analysis (EPMA). Results confirmed the success of welding aluminum matrix composite SiC_p/A356 utilizing HTLPDW method with a Cu interlayer. Shorter welding time was a prominent characteristic of HTLPDW as compared with conventional transient liquid phase (TLP) diffusion welding. Furthermore, its welded joints had a tensile strength almost 72% of its parent matrix composites, evidently signifying the suitable application of half-transient liquid phase diffusion welding in welding composite engineering structures.     

Predictions of the optimized friction stir welding process parameters for joining AA7075-T6 aluminum alloy using preheating system

The scope of this investigation is to evaluate the effect of welding parameters on the mechanical properties and microstructural features of 3-mm-thick AA7075-T6 aluminum alloy subjected to gas heating system as a preheating source during friction stir welding. Toward this end, a gas heating system was designed to heat up the weld seam just ahead of rotating tool to soften the material before being stirred. Three welding parameters, five levels, and a central composite design (CCD) have been used to minimize the number of experimental conditions. The joining parameters such as tool rotational speed, welding speed, and shoulder diameter have a significant influence on determining the mechanical properties of the welded joints. It was found that using preheating system mostly can result in higher total heat input into the weld joint and effectively reduces the formation of defects when unsuitable process parameters were used. Also, an attempt has been made to establish the mathematical model to predict the tensile strength and microhardness of the joints. The optimal welding conditions to maximize the final responses were investigated and reported. The results show that the joint fabricated at a rotational speed of 1,050 rpm, welding speed of 100 mm/min, and shoulder diameter of 14 mm exhibited higher mechanical properties compared to other joints.     

2A14厚板铝合金SSFSW角焊缝接头组织及性能

采用自主研制搅拌针长度为8.5mm的静止轴肩搅拌工具和2A14-T4厚板铝合金进行150°角焊缝接头静止轴肩搅拌摩擦焊工艺试验,探讨焊接工艺参数对接头组织和力学性能的影响规律。结果表明:在500~700r/min主轴转速与40~100mm/min焊接速度范围内均可获得表面光滑无内部缺陷的角焊缝接头,其外观尺寸可精确控制基本无残余焊接角变形。焊缝区主要由焊核(Stir zone,SZ)组成,SZ形状类似搅拌针圆锥台状或椭圆状、其宽度沿厚度方向分布比较均匀;热力影响区(Thermal mechanical affected zone,TMAZ)及热影响区(Heat affected zone,HAZ)宽度明显较小。焊缝区硬度分布具有明显不均匀特征,最薄弱区位于TMAZ与HAZ的交界处。主轴转速变化对焊缝区平均硬度影响较小,但随着焊接速度增加其平均硬度明显增大。角焊缝前进侧等效拉伸强度大于后退侧,等效拉伸强度随转速增加而减小,焊速的增大而增大。在500r/min-100mm/min焊接工艺下所得到的接头等效拉伸强度最高,可达到母材的79.24%。在拉-剪复合承载模式下,角焊缝拉伸试样宏观塑性变形很小呈现脆性断裂特征。     

Effect of process parameters on the macrostructure and defect formation in friction stir lap welding of AA5456 aluminum alloy

Friction stir welding could be considered as a suitable technique for joining of aluminum alloys due to the emerging of different problems in fusion welding of these alloys, especially in lap joint designs. For this purpose, it is necessary to optimize the process parameters while in this study, the combined effects of tool rotation and welding travel speed on the macrostructure and defect formation of friction stir lap welding of AA5456 was investigated. The rotating tool was plunged from the 5 mm-thick AA5456-H321 (top sheet) surface into the 2.5 mm-thick AA5456-O (bottom sheet) and lap joints were fabricated by rotational speeds of 300, 600, 800 and 1000 rpm and welding speeds of 15, 30, 60 and 100 mm min⁻¹. The effect of tool rotation and welding speed on the macrostructure, material flow and defect formation, i.e. hooking, kissing-bond and cavity, were studied by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscope. The results declared that hooking height decreased as the welding speed increased while kissing-bond was formed at higher welding speeds. Moreover, hooking region was extended as the tool rotational speed increased. However, at a high rotational speed, cavity was even created.     

A study on electromagnetic property during friction stir weld failure

Electromagnetic radiation is emitted during the transient stage of elastic to plastic deformation of metals and alloys. In the present work, aluminium plates were welded by friction stir welding (FSW) at different process parameters, such as tool rotational speed, traverse speed and rake angle. The EMR fundamental frequencies emitted during the tensile failure of the welds were measured and recorded. The variation in the fundamental frequency was analysed by fuzzy modelling using MATLAB and it was observed that an increase in the first mode of metal transfer decreases the fundamental frequency. Further, the fundamental frequency of a weld was estimated from the obtained model and found to be closer to the experimental results. This work will be more useful for metal flow analysis as well as online condition monitoring of the welds which are used in critical applications.     

Research on the mechanism of flash line defect in coining

In the present article, the effect of friction stir welding (FSW) parameters on the weldability and the characteristics of dissimilar weld of aluminum alloys, called AA2024-T4 and AA7075-O are investigated. A number of FSW experiments are carried out to obtain high-quality welds by adjusting the rotational and welding speeds. The weldability and blending of two materials are evaluated by using the macrostructural analysis to observe whether making a notch in a threaded cylindrical tool will lead to a better blend rather than the threaded taper tool or it will have no effects. The mechanical properties of the welds are studied through microhardness distribution and tensile tests. Furthermore, the microstructure analysis is performed to study the influence of the pin profile and the rotational speed on the grain size. Moreover, in the present study, one of the most major goals is to obtain high-quality welds by spending as little expenditure as possible. Therefore, it prevents using complicated and insupportable high welding speed equipments.     

Weld temperature effects during friction stir welding of dissimilar aluminum alloys 6061-t6 and 7075-t6

The objective of this work is to establish nominal friction stir [butt] welding process parameters for joining 4.76-mm-thick aluminum alloys 6061-T6 and 7075-T6 and to improve the joint quality via programmed tool offsets. In addition, dynamic tool–workpiece interface temperatures are measured during welding and used to explain the effects of alloy placement and weld tool offset from the joint. Weld tool offsets into the retreating side AA7075 increase the measured tensile strength of the dissimilar joint. The increased joint strength is facilitated by lower average weld temperatures with increasing amount of AA7075 stirred into the nugget.     

Effects of welding speed on microstructures and mechanical properties of AA2219-T6 welded by the reverse dual-rotation friction stir welding

Reverse dual-rotation friction stir welding (RDR-FSW) is a novel FSW technology in which the tool pin and the assisted shoulder rotates reversely, thus it has the capability to obtain appropriate welding conditions through adjusting the rotating tool pin and surrounding assisted shoulder independently. In the present study, a RDR-FSW tool system was designed and successfully applied to weld high strength aluminum alloy 2219-T6, and the effects of welding speed on microstructures and mechanical properties were investigated in detail. At a constant rotation speed of 800 rpm for both the rotating tool pin and the reversely rotating assisted shoulder, defect-free joints were obtained at welding speeds ranging from 50 to 150 mm/min, while a cavity defect appeared at the three-phase confluction on the advancing side when the welding speed increased to 200 mm/min. With increasing of the welding speed, the width of the softened region decreased, but the minimum microhardness value increased gradually. When compared with the joints welded by the conventional FSW, there is only a minor variation of the Vickers hardness across the stirring zone in the joint welded by the RDR-FSW. The maximum tensile strength 328 MPa (73.7 % of the base material) was obtained at the welding speed of 150 mm/min, while the elongation reached its maximum 7.0 % (60.9 % of the base material) at the welding speed of 100 mm/min. All defect-free joints were fractured at the weakest region with the minimum Vickers hardness, while for the joint with cavity defects the fracture occurred at the defect location. The tensile fracture was in the ductile fracture mode.