Advances in friction welding process: a review

Abstract

Friction welding is now well established as one of the most economical and highly productive methods in joining similar and dissimilar metals. It is widely used in automotive and aerospace industrial applications. Friction welding is often the only viable alternative in this field to overcome the difficulties encountered in joining the materials with widely varying physical characteristics. This process employs a machine that is designed to convert mechanical energy into heat at the joint to weld using relative movement between workpieces, without the use of electrical energy or heat from other sources. This review deals with the fundamental understanding of the process. The focus is on the mechanism of friction welding, types of relative motions of the process, influence of parameters, heat generation in the process, understanding the deformation, microstructure and the properties of similar and dissimilar welded materials.     

Effect of initial base metal temper on mechanical properties in AA7050 friction stir welds

Abstract

The effect of initial base metal temper on mechanical properties in AA7050 friction stir welds was investigated. AA7050 plates, 6·4 mm thick, with three different heat treatment conditions (T7451, T62 and W), were friction stir welded using nearly identical welding parameters, followed by post-weld aging approximating a T7451 heat treatment. The microstructure, transverse hardness profiles and transverse tensile properties were characterised for these three welds. Experimental results show that preweld heat treatment conditions of AA7050 base metal have significant effect on the mechanical properties of the friction stir welds. Friction stir welding of AA7050 in the W condition, followed by post-weld aging, can change the fracture location from HAZ to weld nugget and increase tensile and yield strengths and elongation in transverse tension, relative to welding in T62 or T7451 conditions.     

Novel postweld heat treatment method for improving mechanical properties of resistance spot weld

Abstract

A novel postweld heat treatment method by applying cross-direction welding current (cross-current) was applied on the resistance spot weld. The effect of cross-current on the nugget shape, microstructure and mechanical properties was investigated. The results show that the cross-current postweld heat treatment enhances the efficiency of postweld heat treatment and improves the mechanical performance of nugget. The cross-current promotes the recrystallisation of nugget microstructure, which induced the transformation of microstructure from column crystal to quasi equiaxed grain. The quasiequiaxed grains of martensite in the weld nugget significantly increase the microhardness of weld nugget and the tensile shear force of weld joint.     

Macrostructures and mechanical properties of ultrasonic-assisted friction stir welding joint of 2024-T3 aluminium alloy

In friction stir welding of aluminum alloys, tunnel defect may occur due to insufficient plastic material flow caused by lower heat input in the weld region. The inadequacy in heat input is due to improper selection of friction stir welding tool and process parameters. Ultimately, such defects degrade the properties of weld and may pose serious concerns towards the integrity and safety of the weld component. In order to improve the properties of weld joints, an ultrasonic-assisted friction stir welding device has been configured where ultrasonic energy is transferred from an ultrasonic unit directly into one of the workpieces near the tool. Using this configuration, ultrasonic-assisted friction stir welding was conducted on 6 mm thick 2024-T3 aluminum alloy sheets. The macrostructure and mechanical properties of these welds were compared with the welds of this alloy prepared by conventional friction stir welding using identical process parameters. The results show that the welding speed can be increased while satisfactory weld quality is still ensured. The ultrasonic energy transferred in this configuration could enlarge the volume of weld nugget zone. Also, the influence of ultrasonic energy on the suppression or elimination of the tunnel defect is quite apparent. However, any beneficial effects of ultrasonic vibration on the tensile strength and the elongation of the joint were less obvious in this configuration.     

热源同轴辅助搅拌摩擦焊工艺特性分析

研究了激光同轴辅助搅拌摩擦焊中激光/搅拌摩擦焊的热量分配对不同系列铝合金焊缝成形、接头力学性能及显微组织的影响,并得到了相应的优化能量分配条件.结果表明,加入激光辅助热源可有效扩大工艺参数窗口,特别是流动性差的5A06和2219铝合金,焊接速度可提升30%以上.激光辅助热源对6061及5A06铝合金焊接接头性能影响较小,对2219铝合金搅拌摩擦焊接头的性能影响明显,焊接热输入增大后,接头性能下降,但总得来说,加入激光辅助热源能够在更小的焊接热输入下获得更高的接头性能.     

Charpy toughness and microstructure of vibrated weld metal

Abstract

Vibration during welding can be used to obtain certain changes in mechanical properties of weld metal. Research work on the influence of vibration on the secondary microstructure of welds and hence on the Charpy toughness was performed. Vibration during welding exhibits positive effects on the microstructure constituent formation. Multipass welding was simulated with reheating of the original single pass weld in order to obtain similar microstructure to multipass welds. Microstructures were examined with an optical microscope. Additionally, fractographic examination of the rupture of Charpy specimens was performed. Changes in the microstructure according to vibration were observed which affect toughness of the weld metal. Vibration during welding was rated more effective in the case of reheating the weld metal, which is the case in multipass welding.     

Effect of friction welding conditions and aging treatment on mechanical properties of A7075-T6 aluminium alloy friction joints

Abstract

This article describes the effect of friction welding conditions and aging treatment on the mechanical properties of type 7075-T6 aluminium alloy (A7075) friction welded joints. A7075 was joined by using a continuous drive friction welding machine with an electromagnetic clutch in order to prevent braking deformation during as rotation speed decreases. That is, it was welded by using the 'Low Heat Input Friction Welding Method' (LHI method) developed by the authors, in which heat input is lower than in the conventional method. The maximum joint efficiency at a friction pressure of 30 MPa was approximately 25%, and that at 90 MPa was approximately 64%. These joints were made without forge pressure. The low joint efficiency was due to the existence of non-joined regions at the welded interfaces. However, the welded joint had approximately 82% joint efficiency when the friction time was 0·5 s at a friction pressure of 90 MPa with a forge pressure of 180 MPa. The welded joint softened at the welded interface and its adjacent region. It had approximately 90% joint efficiency after aging for 730 days at room temperature (natural aging). It also had approximately 95% joint efficiency after aging for 48 h at 393 K (120°C), and had no softened region at the welded interface. The heat input of the welded joint with the LHI method could be decreased to approximately 50% of that with the conventional method. The LHI method has several advantages for A7075 friction welding; less heat input than with the conventional method, and light post-weld processing (machining, etc.) because the flash can be minimised.     

Alternative current flux zoned tungsten inert gas welding process for aluminium alloys

Abstract

A new variant of activating flux tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding process called flux zoned TIG (FZ-TIG) welding is proposed to weld aluminium alloys based on the mechanism of activating flux constricting welding arc. This process can not only increase weld penetration but also obtain perfect weld surface appearance simultaneously. An alternative current FZ-TIG welding is made using SiO₂ as the side region material and flux FZ108 developed by the authors with uniform design method as the central region coat material. The weld penetration can reach above three times that of the conventional alternative current TIG welding. All the weld shape, weld microstructure and weld mechanical properties are fine. Except for argon shielding gas flowrate, other welding parameters, including welding current, welding speed, central coat width, central coat content and solvent, have great effect on the weld penetration of alternative current FZ-TIG welding for aluminium alloys.     

Developing predictive tools for friction stir weld quality assessment

Abstract

This research programme explores predictive tools that assess friction stir weld quality in aluminium alloys through dynamic characterisation. The study focuses on the correlations between dynamic interrogations measures of friction stir welded panels with the weld energy, as welded mechanical properties and the microstructure. 7136-T76 aluminium extrusions were joined at unique weld energies, and to characterise and identify the friction stir welds through non-destructive techniques, theoretical modelling and lab scale dynamic testing were conducted to establish the correlation between the weld energy and the associated spectral characteristics of the beam (natural frequencies/mode shapes). In this non-destructive evaluation study, the modal parameters were measured and were correlated with the friction stir weld microstructure and the physical parameters of the welded components, such as axial and flexural rigidities. The viability of weld parameter identification and weld quality assessment of friction stir welding beams using dynamic interrogation techniques is demonstrated.     

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Friction Stir Welded 5083 and 7075 Aluminum Alloys

Through microscopy, mechanical testing, and numerical modeling, the microstructure and mechanical performance of friction stir welded aluminum alloys 7075-T651 and 5083-H111 were characterized. In particular, the influence of the weld configuration, i.e., the locations of the 7075 and 5083 alloys alternately on the advancing and retreating sides, on material flow, microstructure, and mechanical properties was considered. Thermographic data in conjunction with a process simulation demonstrated that the weld configuration significantly impacts heat generation during friction stir welding. The microstructure in the stir zone was a clear visualization of the material flow and was characterized by a vortex-like structure with alternating bands of the alloys being joined. These bands differed in elemental content and grain size. The microstructure became more complex when greater heat generation (higher temperatures) occurred. The weld configuration strongly influenced the material flow, but did not impact the tensile properties (such as yield strength, tensile strength, and elongation). The configuration of 5083 on the advancing side and 7075 on the retreating side produced the most uniform material flow. The joint efficiencies of all tested welds were above 100%.     

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Dissimilar Double-Side Friction Stir Welds Between Medium-Thick 6061-T6 Aluminum and Pure Copper Plates

It is difficult to achieve Al/Cu dissimilar welds with good mechanical properties for medium-thick plates due to the inherent high heat generation rate at the shoulder-workpiece contact interface in conventional friction stir welding. Thus, double-side friction stir welding is innovatively applied to join 12-mm medium-thick 6061-T6 aluminum alloy and pure copper dissimilar plates, and the effect of welding speeds on the joint microstructure and mechanical properties of Al/Cu welds is systematically analyzed. It reveals that a sound Al/Cu joint without macroscopic defects can be achieved when the welding speed is lower than 180 mm/min, while a nonuniform relatively thick intermetallic compound (IMC) layer is formed at the Al/Cu interface, resulting in lots of local microcracks within the first-pass weld under the plunging force of the tool during friction stir welding of the second-pass, and seriously deteriorates the mechanical properties of the joint. With the increase of welding speed to more than 300 mm/min void defects appear in the joint, but the joint properties are still better than the welds performed at low welding speed conditions since a continuous uniform thin IMCs layer is formed at the Al/Cu interface. The maximum tensile strength and elongation of Al/Cu weld are, respectively, 135.11 MPa and 6.06%, which is achieved at the welding speed of 400 mm/min. In addition, due to the influence of welding distortion of the first-pass weld, the second-pass weld is more prone to form void defects than the first-pass weld when the same plunge depth is applied on both sides. The double-side friction stir welding is proved to be a good method for dissimilar welding of medium-thick Al/Cu plates.     

Microstructures and properties of friction stir spot welded DP590 dual phase steel sheets

DP590 steel sheets were joined by friction stir spot welding using polycrystalline cubic boron nitride tool with an objective to produce bond diameters similar to conventional spot welding nuggets. A range of spindle rotation (400–2400 rev min^?1) and plunge speeds (0·03–3·8 mm s^?1) were exercised to attain defect free welds in 1·6 mm thick sheets. A bond diameter of 4t^1/2, alike minimum nugget diameter criteria for resistance spot welds, resulted in superior mechanical properties than conventional spot welds. The heat inputs corresponding to different welding parameters influenced the weld microstructure, including grain size, phases and their morphology. The bond diameter was higher for higher heat inputs. However, low heat input welds with weld time cycles ～4 s produced more refined microstructure and exhibited similar strengths even with reduced bond size. Plug type failure was associated with larger bond diameters (～7·1 mm), while interfacial failure was observed with smaller welds (～5·4 mm).     

Weldability of spheroidal graphite cast iron

Summary

The weldability of a spheroidal graphite cast iron (SGCI) with a specific chemical composition is analysed. Manual metal arc welding (MAW) and oxy‐acetylene welding (OAW) were used on sample castings of 300 × 900 × 10 mm, with a groove angle of 60°. The influence on weldability of the chemical composition of the different electrodes used is also analysed, as well as that of the preheating temperature. Finally, the micro‐structure of joints is examined in the heat affected zone (HAZ) (near the weld), at the metal‐weld interface and in the fusion zone (the weld bead). The mechanical properties of the joints and their microstructure are correlated.     

Distortion control in welding by mechanical tensioning

Abstract

This paper investigates the potential of mechanical tensioning (MT) to reduce the magnitude of residual stresses in welds and to eliminate buckling distortion. Both friction stir (FSW) and arc welds have been produced from the aluminium alloy AA2024, with different levels of tensile stress applied along the weld line either during or after welding. The resulting welds have been characterised in terms of out of plane distortion, residual stresses and microstructure. Buckling distortion was eliminated by stretching plates to between 35 and 70% of the yield stress of the material during welding. For each set of welding parameters investigated, an optimum tensioning stress has been identified, which eliminates the tensile residual stress peak across the weld zone, along with distortion. This optimum tensioning stress increases in line with the heat input of the welding process. When MT stresses are increased beyond this optimum value, then distortion arises once more and a band of compressive stress is formed across the weld zone.     

Analysis of martensite transformation behaviour in welded joint using low transformation temperature welding wire

Abstract

Low transformation temperature welding (LTTW) wire has been found to improve the fatigue strength in welded joints. In the present study, the temperature dependence of the mechanical properties in a dual phase microstructure of austenite and martensite was estimated using the properties of full austenite and full martensite in numerical analyses. A welding method effective for residual stress reduction and fatigue strength improvement was shown by applying a calculation method under transformation superplasticity and transformation induced plasticity in high strength steel welded joints. With this method, the influence of the welding pass sequence on the residual stress distribution and fatigue strength was examined in a boxing fillet welded joint using LTTW. The transformation tensile residual stress in the weld toe was decreased by sectioned welding, and the fatigue limit by sectioned welding with LTTW improved in comparison with the fatigue limit of a joint welded with conventional wire in the same process.     

Investigation into properties of laser welded similar and dissimilar steel joints

Abstract

Laser beam welding is currently used in the welding of steels, aluminium alloys, thin sheets, and dissimilar materials. This high power density welding process has unique advantages of cost effectiveness, deep penetration, narrow bead and heat affected zone (HAZ) widths, and low distortion compared to other conventional welding processes. However, the metallurgical and mechanical properties of laser welds and the response of conventional materials to this new process are not yet fully established. The welding process may lead to drastic changes in the microstructure with accompanying effects on the mechanical properties and, hence, on the performance of the joint. The thermal cycles associated with laser beam welding are generally much faster than those involved in the conventional arc welding processes. This leads to the formation of a rather small weld zone that exhibits locally a high hardness in the case of C–Mn structural steels owing to the formation of martensite. It is currently difficult to determine the tensile properties (full stress–strain curves) of the laser welded joint area owing to the small size(～V 2·3 mm) of the fusion zone. Complete information on the tensile and fracture toughness properties of the fusion zone is essential for prequalification and complete understanding of the joint performance in service, as well as for conducting a defect assessment procedure on such welded joints. Therefore, an experimental investigation into the mechanical properties of laser welded joints was carried out to establish a testing procedure using fiat micro tensile specimens (0·5 mm in thickness, 2 mm in width) for determination of the tensile properties of the weld metal and H AZ of the laser beam welds. Three similar joints, namely St 37–St 37, St 52–St 52, and austenitic–austenitic, and two dissimilar ferritic–austenitic joints were produced by CO₂ laser, using 6 mm thickness plates. The mechanical properties have been examined by microhardness survey and testing of conventional transverse tensile, round tensile, and fiat microtensile specimens. The results for the micro tensile specimens were compared with those for standard round tensile specimens and this clearly showed the suitability of the microtensile specimen technique for such joints.     

Effect of thermal cycle on microstructure and mechanical properties of CLAM steel weld CGHAZ

Abstract

Based on the previous work of SHCCT diagram developing of China low activation martensitic (CLAM) steel, the effect of thermal cycle on the microstructure and mechanical properties of CLAM steel weld is investigated using physical thermal simulation (Gleeble 3500) to control heat input accurately. Three conditions including single layer, double layer welding and post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) are involved. The results show that higher cooling rate leads to better grain refinement but higher hardness in the coarse grained heat affected zone. Precipitation of delta ferrite is relatively severe when the cooling rate is low. Thermal cycle during double layer welding has an obvious weakening effect on mechanical properties, which mainly results from the larger quantity of delta ferrite precipitates. The microstructure and mechanical properties of CLAM steel joints can be improved by PWHT. Hardness of heat-affected zone tends to keep uniform with the increase of tempering temperature.     

Friction stir welding of aluminium 7136-T76511 extrusions

Abstract

This research programme evaluates the as welded properties of Al 7136-T76511 extrusions joined through friction stir welding (FSW). Microstructural characterisation and mechanical testing were performed on the baseline material and on panels friction stir welded at 250 and 350 rev min^–1 (all other weld parameters held constant). Transmission electron microscopy revealed the microstructural features in each of the unique weld regions and demonstrated that the precipitate density and morphology in these regions correlates with the temperature profile produced by the FSW process. A thermal model of FSW is developed that utilises an energy based scaling factor to account for tool slip. The slip factor is derived from an empirical relationship between the ratio of the maximum welding temperature to the solidus temperature and energy per unit length of weld. The thermal model successfully predicts the maximum welding temperatures and profiles over a range of energy levels. The mechanical behaviour after welding is correlated to the temperature distribution predicted by the model and to the observed microstructural characteristics. As welded mechanical properties of the alloy trended positively with the energy per unit length of weld, i.e. the highest joint efficiency was achieved at the highest welding temperature.     

Hydrogen attack on simulated weld heat affected zone of 3Cr–1Mo–0.25V steel

Abstract

Hydrogen attack and the associated change in mechanical properties in a 3Cr–1Mo–0.25V steel subjected to a simulated welding thermal treatment were investigated to show the influence of welding conditions on the heat affected zone. The maximum peak temperature reached in the simulated welding process affected the microstructure, which in turn is related to the occurrence of different quantities of methane bubbles.     

Fracture toughness of structural aluminium alloy thick plate joints by friction stir welding

Abstract

The fracture toughness in a friction stir welded joint of thick plates of structural aluminium alloy type A5083-O is investigated. A joint between two 25 mm thick plates is fabricated by one sided, one pass friction stir welding. The Charpy impact energy and critical crack tip opening displacement (CTOD) in the friction stir weld are much higher than those in the base metal or heat affected zone, whereas mechanical properties such as stress–strain curve and Vickers hardness are not conspicuously different. The effects of the microstructure on crack initiation and propagation are studied in order to clarify the difference in fracture toughness between the stir zone and base metal. The analyses of the fracture resistance curves and the diameters of dimples in the fracture surface after both tensile and bending tests show that the fine grained microstructure in the stir zone helps to increase ductile crack initiation and propagation resistance. It is found that the high fracture toughness value in the stir zone is affected by the fine grained microstructure in friction stir welds.