Friction Stir Processed AA5182-O and AA6111-T4 Aluminum Alloys. Part 1: Electron Backscattered Diffraction Analysis

The present article is the first part in a two-part series in which crystallographic texture developed during friction stir processing of AA5182-O and AA6111-T4 is characterized and its impact on tensile properties explored. For the texture measurements, coupons were cut from the friction stir processed zone at selected orientations relative to the direction of tool translation. Texture was characterized with electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) in a scanning electron microscope. Measurements were made at key positions along the coupon surfaces and texture differences between the two friction stir processed Al alloys are discussed in detail. Grain size variations were also measured in both the base and friction stir processed materials and subsequently compared. In part 2, a state-of-art digital image correlation technique is used to investigate tensile properties of both friction stir processed Al alloys. The impact of crystallographic texture on mechanical properties is also explored in this latter part. This article was presented at Materials Science & Technology 2006, Innovations in Metal Forming symposium held in Cincinnati, OH, October 15-19, 2006.     

Optimizing friction stir welding parameters to maximize tensile strength of AA2219 aluminum alloy joints

AA2219 aluminium alloy (Al-Cu-Mn alloy) has gathered wide acceptance in the fabrication of lightweight structures requiring a high strength-to-weight ratio and good corrosion resistance. In contrast 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 play a major role in determining the joint strength. An attempt has been made here to develop a mathematical model to predict the tensile strength of friction stir welded AA2219 aluminium alloy by incorporating FSW process parameters. A central composite design with four factors and five levels has been used to minimize the number of experimental conditions. The response surface method (RSM) has been used to develop the model. The developed mathematical model has been optimized using the Hooke and Jeeves search technique to maximize the tensile strength of the friction stir welded AA2219 aluminium alloy joints.     

AA2219铝合金搅拌摩擦焊接工艺窗口的建立

建立AA2219铝合金搅拌摩擦焊接的工艺窗口。采用不同的工艺参数如旋转速度和焊接速度来焊接该铝合金。通过对焊接接头的宏观形貌分析,建立搅拌摩擦焊的工艺窗口。通过拉伸试验、显微组织观察,对工艺窗口不同区域的接头强度进行分析。焊接接头断裂的位置与最低硬度分布相关。所建立的工艺窗口可以用来选择适当的工艺参数来获得高质量的AA2219铝合金搅拌摩擦焊接。     

Effects of microstructural asymmetries across friction stir welded AA2024 joints on mechanical properties

The effect of offset of the centre of a tensile specimen to the weldline on global tensile properties of friction stir welded AA2024 joints was investigated using experiments and numerical analysis. The size and geometry of these discrete zones, such as the central low hardness zone, the low hardness zone-I near the thermo-mechanically affected zone, the low hardness zone-II near the base metal and the base metal, were determined from a cross-sectional hardness map. Results show that tensile specimens with different area of the joint placed in the centre of the specimen do not affect the tensile strength and fracture path of a joint, strain is affected. Predictions based on local tensile properties follow well the measured global tensile behaviour.     

轴肩压入深度对AA2024/AA2024搅拌摩擦焊接头连接质量的影响

通过调节轴肩压入深度,研究了板厚3 mm的AA2024/AA2024搅拌摩擦焊接头连接质量的变化规律.结果表明,无轴肩压入深度时,AA2024/AA2024接头的搅拌针前进侧存在“隧道”缺陷；随着轴肩压入深度的增加,“隧道”缺陷逐渐消失,接头界面轴肩搅拌区出现氧化物夹杂缺陷(S线),并呈现先增后减的演化规律,在焊核区底部也出现S线,并呈现逐渐增大的分布规律；焊接速度100 mm/min,旋转频率为800 r/min,轴肩压入深度为0.2mm时,3 mm厚AA2024/AA2024对接接头抗拉强度达到370MPa,断面收缩率达到3.4％.     

Friction stir welding characteristics of two aluminum alloys

1　INTRODUCTIONFrictionstirwelding(FSW )isapromisingweld ingprocessthatcanproducehigh qualityandlow costjoints[1,2 ] .Especially ,itcaneliminatesomeweldingdefectssuchascrackingandporosityoftenassociatedwithfusionweldingprocesses[2 ,3] ,andthusissuitedtoweldheat treatablealuminumalloysthatarediffi culttofusionweld[4 ,5] .Recentstudiesonthemi crostructuralcharacteristicsandmechanicalpropertiesofthefrictionstirweldedjointshaveindicatedthatdifferentaluminumalloyshavedifferentFSWcharac teris…     

Comparison of RSM with ANN in predicting tensile strength of friction stir welded AA7039 aluminium alloy joints

Friction stir welding(FSW) is an innovative solid state joining technique and has been employed in aerospace, rail, automotive and marine industries for joining aluminium, magnesium, zinc and copper alloys. The FSW process parameters such as tool rotational speed, welding speed, axial force, play a major role in deciding the weld quality. Two methods, response surface methodology and artificial neural network were used to predict the tensile strength of friction stir welded AA7039 aluminium alloy. The experiments were conducted based on three factors, three-level, and central composite face centered design with full replications technique, and mathematical model was developed. Sensitivity analysis was carried out to identify critical parameters. The results obtained through response surface methodology were compared with those through artificial neural networks.     

Developing an Empirical Relationship to Predict Tensile Strength of Friction Stir Welded AA2219 Aluminum Alloy

AA2219 aluminum alloy (Al-Cu-Mn alloy) has gathered wide acceptance in the fabrication of lightweight structures requiring a high strength-to-weight ratio and good corrosion resistance. 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 nonconsumable tool to generate frictional heat in the abutting surfaces. The welding parameters such as tool rotational speed, welding speed, axial force, etc., and tool pin profile play a major role in deciding the joint strength. An attempt has been made to develop an empirical relationship between FSW variables to predict tensile strength of the friction stir welded AA2219 aluminum alloy. To obtain the desired strength, it is essential to have a complete control over the relevant process parameters to maximize the tensile strength on which the quality of a weldment is based. Therefore, it is very important to select and control the welding process parameter for obtaining maximum strength. To achieve this various prediction methods such as response surface method (RSM), analysis of variance (ANOVA), Student’s t-test, coefficient of determination, etc., can be applied to define the desired output variables through developing mathematical models to specify the relationship between the output parameters and input variables. Four factors, five levels central composite design have been used to minimize number of experimental conditions. The developed mathematical relationship can be effectively used to predict the tensile strength of FSW joints of AA2219 aluminum alloy at 95% confidence level.     

亚共析钢搅拌摩擦加工组织与力学性能

采用K40钨钴硬质合金搅拌头对3 mm厚热轧退火态亚共析钢板进行了搅拌摩擦加工,对加工区域的宏观形貌、微观组织及力学性能进行了分析．结果表明,搅拌区和热力影响区为先共析块状铁素体、“针状”铁素体及珠光体,组织转变受动态再结晶和相变共同作用,热影响区组织为等轴状铁素体和片层状珠光体．搅拌摩擦加工对各区域中珠光体及析出渗碳体的分布形态影响显著．搅拌摩擦加工后试样显微硬度明显增加,抗拉强度相比母材提高8.2%,断裂位置位于母材处,加工前后试样断裂形式均为微孔聚合韧性断裂．固溶强化与相变强化对硬度和抗拉强度的提高起主要作用．     

AA6061-T6与AZ31合金异种搅拌摩擦焊接头的微观组织

研究了AA6061-T6和AZ31合金异种搅拌摩擦焊接头的微观组织。在异种搅拌摩擦焊接AA6061-T6与AZ31合金时,采用偏置条件,即将搅拌针插入时偏向AZ31合金,从而得到异种对接接头。通过预备实验来优化搅拌针的前进速度、旋转速度。运用电子背散射衍射技术观察搅拌区的纹理,并得到粒径分布和错位角分布,在搅拌区存在相对精细的晶粒结构。在AA6061-T6搅拌区出现随机或弱面取向,而在AZ31搅拌区出现旋转底面取向。再结晶颗粒的平均尺寸只有2．5～4．5μm。与基础合金相比,在AA6061-T6搅拌区的大角度晶界的分数增大,而在AZ31搅拌区的小角度晶界的分数降低。     

Tensile properties of 6061-T6 friction stir welds and constitutive modelling in transverse and longitudinal orientations

Tensile stress–strain properties of Al alloy 6061-T6 (AA6061-T6) and its butt welds produced by the friction stir welding (FSW) process were characterized in two different loading orientations. AA6061-T6 FS welds were made under three sets of welding conditions. Micro-hardness tests were performed to investigate microstructural evolution during the FSW process. Flat tensile specimens were machined normal and parallel to the weld line. Transvers and longitudinal tensile tests were run on the base material (AA6061-T6) and its FS welds in an Instron testing machine. The strength and ductility (or fracture strain) of the FS welds observed in the transverse orientation were substantially less than those in the longitudinal orientation. Constitutive modelling of uniaxial tensile stress–strain behaviour in both orientations was presented using a rate-independent Ludwik equation. In addition, microstructures of the base material and its FS welds were examined with optical and transmission electron microscopy to discuss the decrease in the flow stress level and the increase in the strain hardening rate of the FS welds.     

AA7075高强铝合金热冲压流变行为本构模型对比研究

在热冲压过程中,AA7075高强铝合金板料经充分固溶后移入室温模具进行冲压成形并淬火。为表征AA7075铝合金在热冲压工艺中的变形行为,在温度200~480℃、应变速率0.01~10s-1范围内进行了高温拉伸试验。基于Arrhenius类型本构模型、Johnson-Cook模型以及Zerilli-Armstrong模型提出了多种修正本构模型,并应用实验所获流变曲线进行了拟合。提出的修正模型通过将模型参数表示为应变、应变速率及温度相关的多项式函数耦合了应变、应变速率及温度对流变应力的影响,并通过均方误差(MSE)以及相关系数R值对模型流变应力预测准确性进行了评价。结果表明,修正的Johnson-Cook模型能够更加准确的预测AA7075高温流变行为。     

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.     

搅拌摩擦技术制备AA6061/SiC纳米复合材料的工艺参数优化(英文)

采用搅拌摩擦技术制备AA6061/SiC纳米复合材料,并用实验设计方法来确定影响AA6061/SiC复合材料极限拉伸强度的重要因素,包括4种因素,即旋转速度、横向速度、切削深度、搅拌头形状。运用Taguchi方法,得到优化的工艺参数。方差分析表明,旋转速度是最主要的影响因素。统计分析结果表明,采用带螺纹的搅拌头得到的复合材料的极限拉伸强度比采用方型搅拌头的高。搅拌头的旋转速度越快、横向速度越慢,则复合材料的极限拉伸强度越高。     

焊接方法对AA2219铝合金接头性能的影响(英文)

使用钨电极惰性气体保护焊接、电子束焊接和搅拌摩擦焊接技术制备无填充金属的AA2219铝合金对焊接头。研究三种焊接工艺对材料拉伸、疲劳和腐蚀行为的影响。使用光学和电子显微镜研究显微结构。结果表明,与钨电极惰性气体保护焊和电子束焊接相比,搅拌摩擦焊制备的接头具有较高的拉伸和疲劳性能与较低的耐蚀性能,这主要是由于其中的细化晶粒和均匀分布的强化析出相所引起的。     

Effect of welding heat input and post-weld aging time on microstructure and mechanical properties in dissimilar friction stir welded AA7075–AA5086

The effects of welding heat input and post-weld heat treatment on the mechanical and microstructural aspects of dissimilar friction stir welds of age-hardened AA7075-T6 and strain hardenable AA5086-H32 aluminium alloys were investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) residual stress analysis and tensile testing together with optical metallography and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were performed to assess the effects of process parameters on welded joints. It was discovered that joints produced without heat sink exhibited more homogeneous stir zones than other joints. Of the natural aging time studied, higher amount of solid solution during rapid cooling of welds produced higher driving force for increase in hardness in the AA7075 side during natural aging. Natural aging within stirring zone and thermo-mechanical affected zone of AA7075 side resulted in a 10 to 25 MPa reduction in the residual stress in these zones; its effect decreased considerably in the welds performed without heat sink. In addition, natural aging had no noticeable effect on the joint strength.     

Static shear strength and fatigue life of refill friction stir spot welded AA 6061-T6 sheets

This study was aimed at evaluating the static shear strength and fatigue properties of the newly developed refilled friction stir spot welded AA 6061-T6 joints. The keyhole, the process disadvantage of conventional friction stir spot welding, was refilled successfully, using an additional filler plate, with specially designed tools. Two different tool profiles, namely, convex and concave, were used for the refilling process. Sound and defect free joints were obtained by the refilling process. Joints refilled with convex tools showed better static shear strength than those with the concave ones. The variation of microhardness in different regions of the weld was analysed. Fatigue tests were conducted on the lap shear specimens at a stress ratio of R?=?0·1. The optical micrographs of the welds after fatigue failure in both the conventional and refilled processes were examined to study the fatigue crack propagation and failure modes.     

Variations in stir zone and thermomechanically affected zone of dissimilar friction stir weld of AA5083 and AA6082 alloys

Variations in composition, microhardness (in the thermomechanically affected zone) and texture in the tool domain of the dissimilar friction stir weld of AA5083-O and AA6082-T6 alloys were investigated. The contents of the major alloying elements in the weld zones were determined using inductively coupled plasma?atomic emission spectroscopy. It was observed that a slight drop in the content of the alloying elements results from the friction stir welding process with the Mg content being the most affected amongst the major alloying elements in the two alloys. By relating the mass fractions of the major alloying elements in the parent metals of both alloys to those of the stir zone, the relative proportions of the two alloys in the stir zone were estimated with the results showing that at least 60% of the materials in the stir zone are from the retreating side of the weld. It was also revealed that the changes in the hardness profile in the thermomechanically affected zone of the retreating side are predominantly influenced by changes in grain size in that domain. Finally, the investigation further revealed that the texture component in the tool shoulder domain is different from the texture component in the tool pin domain.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of friction stir welded aluminium alloys with special reference to AA 5083 and AA 6082

Abstract

Aluminium alloys AA 5083 and AA 6082 have been friction stir welded and the mechanical properties and microstructures of the welds have been evaluated. Alloy AA 5083 mainly fractured near the centre of the weld, while fracture in AA 6082 mainly occurred in the heat affected zone. The tensile strength of welded joints in AA 6082 was lower than the base material strength, but still met classification societies' requirements. Hardness was approximately constant across the welded zone in AA 5083, while a minimum in hardness was found in the AA 6082 welds. The location of the fracture closely matched the minimum hardness region. Very fine scale precipitation in AA 6082 was significantly affected by the weld thermal cycle. In the zone of lowest hardness, the hardening precipitate (β″-Mg₅Si₆) had transformed to the non-hardening β′-Mg_1.7Si. This is probably the main reason for the minimum in hardness, the fracture location, and the decreased tensile strength. Results are compared to a similar investigation of aluminium alloy AA 7075.     

Establishing empirical relationships to predict grain size and tensile strength of friction stir welded AA 6061-T6 aluminium alloy joints

AA 6061-T6 aluminium alloy(Al-Mg-Si alloy) has gathered wide acceptance in the fabrication of light weight structures requiring a high specific strength and good corrosion resistance.Compared with the fusion welding processes that are routinely used for joining structural aluminium alloys,friction stir welding(FSW) process is an emerging solid state joining process in which the material welded does not melt and recast.Joint strength is influenced by the grain size and tensile strength of the weld nugget region.Hence,an attempt was made to develop empirical relationships to predict grain size and tensile strength of friction stir welded AA 6061-T6 aluminium alloy joints.The empirical relationships are developed by response surface methodology(RSM) incorporating FSW tool and process parameters.A linear regression relationship was also established between grain size and tensile strength of the weld nugget of FSW joints.