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.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of friction stir lap welded Mg/Al joint assisted by stationary shoulder

Using magnesium alloy as upper sheet, 3 mm-thick AZ31 magnesium alloy and 6061 aluminum alloy were joined using friction stir lap welding assisted by stationary shoulder. The effects of tool rotating speed on cross-sections, microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg/Al lap joints were mainly discussed. Results showed that stationary shoulder contributed to joint formation, by which stir zones (SZ) were characterized by big onion rings after welding. Because of the big forging force exerted by stationary shoulder, the upper region of hook was well bonded. SZ showed much higher hardness because of intermetallic compounds (IMCs). The bonding conditions at the base material (BM)/SZ interface at advancing side and the hook region played important roles on joint lap shear properties. The X-ray diffraction pattern analysis revealed that the main IMCs were Al₃Mg₂ and Al₁₂Mg₁₇.     

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.     

Formation of intermetallic compounds in Al and Mg alloy interface during friction stir spot welding

The spot welding of Al plate to Mg plate was produced by friction stir spot welding using various tool rotation speed and duration time of the tool to investigate the effects of the welding parameters on the reaction of Al and Mg alloy. The interface microstructure and phase were investigated using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The mechanical properties of the joints are evaluated using tensile test. Experimental results show that intermetallic compounds were formed in the interface of the Al and Mg alloys. The thickness of intermetallic compounds layer increases with increasing tool rotation speed and duration time, and has a significant effect on the strengths of the joints. Heavy thickness of intermetallic compounds layer seriously deteriorates the mechanical properties of the joints. The intermetallic compounds layer mainly contains Al₃Mg₂ and Al₁₂Mg₁₇     

Preparation of bimetallic nano-composite by dissimilar friction stir welding of copper to aluminum alloy

Butt friction stir welding between pure copper and AA5754 alloy was carried out. Reinforcing SiC nano- particles were utilized in friction stir welded (FSW) joints to decline the harmful effects of intermetallic compounds. Tensile tests, micro-hardness experiments, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis were applied to studying the properties of welded joints. The joints with a travel speed of 50 mm/min and a rotation speed of 1000 r/min showed the best results. The presence of nano-sized SiC particles reduced the grain size of aluminum and copper in the stir zone (SZ) from 38.3 and 12.4 μm to 12.9 and 5.1 μm, respectively. The tensile strength of the joint in the presence of reinforcing SiC nano-particles was ~240 MPa, which is ～90% of that for the aluminum base. Furthermore, the highest microhardness of the weld zone was significantly increased from HV 160 to HV 320 upon the addition of SiC nano-particles. The results also showed that raising the heat generation in FSW joints increased the amount of Al₄Cu₉ and Al₂Cu intermetallic compounds.     

静轴肩辅助铝镁搅拌摩擦搭接接头的组织与性能

文中将静止轴肩技术应用到铝镁异种合金的搅拌摩擦搭接过程中,并分析了焊接速度对接头成形和力学性能的影响.结果表明,静止轴肩能够增强上下板之间的材料交换,焊后搅拌区呈较大的洋葱环形貌,其内部分布大量的金属间化合物;搭接面处发生良好的冶金结合.由于生成金属间化合物,洋葱环区域的显微硬度值明显高于接头其它区域.X射线衍射结果表明,金属间化合物的主要成分是Al₃Mg₂和Al₁₂Mg₁₇.接头的抗拉强度随着焊接速度的增加呈先上升后下降的趋势,最大值在焊接速度为40 mm/min时取得.     

Achieving high property friction stir welded aluminium/copper lap joint at low heat input

Abstract

Aluminium and copper plates with 3 mm thickness were successfully friction stir lap welded at a lower rotation rate of 600 rev min^?1 using a larger pin 8 mm in diameter. Good metallurgical bonding on the Al/Cuinterface was achieved due to the formation of a thin, continuous and uniform Al–Cu intermetallic compound layer. Furthermore, many Cu particles consisting of pure Cu and intermetallic compound layers were generated at the lower part of the nugget zone, forming a composite structure with increased hardness. A lower rotation rate resulted in a decrease in annealing softening in the heat affected zone (HAZ), and a larger diameter pin increased the Al–Cu bonding area. These factors resulted in that the friction stir welded lap joint exhibited a high failure load of 2680 N with failure in the HAZ on the aluminium side.     

Study of process/structure/property relationships in friction stir welded thin sheet Al–Cu–Li alloy

Abstract

Microstructure evolution in friction stir welds produced in artificially aged Al–4Cu–1Li–0·36Mg–0·14Zr–0·28Ag alloy over a range of process parameters was studied using transmission electron microscopy. Process parameters did not have a major effect on the weld microstructure and mechanical properties. The stir zone exhibited an appreciable decrease in hardness relative to the unaffected base metal due to dissolution of T₁ and θ′ precipitates. The heat affected zone exhibited almost complete dissolution of θ′ precipitates and partial dissolution of T₁ precipitates. The effect of process conditions on T₁ precipitate density in the heat affected zone was studied and it was found that dissolution was experienced at lower tool rotation speed to traverse rate ratios, while welds produced at higher tool rotation speed to traverse rate ratios experienced both dissolution and growth of T₁ precipitates. The results obtained on this thin sheet aluminium alloy were compared to those of friction stir welds produced in thicker sections of the same alloy.     

The role of rotation speed on intermetallic compounds formation and mechanical behavior of friction stir welded brass/aluminum 1050 couple

In this paper, the intermetallic compounds formation during dissimilar friction stir welding of brass to aluminum 1050 and its effect on the mechanical behavior of joint were studied. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis (EDS) and X-ray Diffraction analysis were used to characterize intermetallics. In addition, tensile tests and microhardness measurements were performed to evaluate mechanical properties. The results showed that utilizing rotation speeds higher than 400 rpm leads to gradual formation of intermetallic compounds in the stir zone and at the interface. CuAl₂ is the dominant compound in the composite structure of the stir zone, whereas four intermetallic bands are detected at the interface. From aluminum to brass, two middle layers were formed. Then, CuAl₂, Cu₉Al₄ and CuZn were detected. The increase in rotation speed is accompanied by thickening and development of interfacial intermetallic compounds. The optimum rotation speed of 450 rpm yielded a narrow interfacial intermetallic compound and a lamellar composite structure within the stir zone which enhances the tensile strength of the weld. On the other hand, further increase of rotation speed lowers the tensile strength of the weld which is accompanied by disappearance of lamellar composite structure, increment of weld defects and thickening of interfacial intermetallic layer.     

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.     

Improving Joint Morphologies and Tensile Strength of Al/Mg Dissimilar Alloys Friction Stir Lap Welding by Changing Zn Interlayer Thickness

The pure Zn foils with different thicknesses(0.02, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mm) were selected as interlayers to improve the quality of friction stir lap welding joint of 7075-T6 Al and AZ31 B Mg dissimilar alloys. The effects of the interlayer thickness on joint formation, microstructure and tensile strength were analyzed. The results displayed that the maximum length of the boundary between stir zone(SZ) and thermo-mechanically affected zone in lower plate was obtained by the addition of the Zn interlayer with 0.05 mm thickness. The Mg–Zn intermetallic compounds(IMCs) were discontinuously distributed in the SZ, replacing the continuous Al–Mg IMCs. The size of Mg–Zn IMCs increased with the increase in the thickness of the Zn interlayer. The maximum tensile shear strength of 276 N mm-1 was obtained by the addition of 0.05 mm Zn foil, which increased by 45.6% of that of the joint without the Zn foil addition.     

Friction stir butt welding of A5052-O aluminum alloy plates

Friction stir butt welding (FSW) between A5052-O aluminum alloy plates with a thickness of 2 mm was performed.The rotation speeds of the welding tool were 2000 and 3000 r/min,respectively.The traverse speed was ranged from 100 mm/min to 900 mm/min.The defect-free welds with the very smooth surface morphology were successfully obtained,except for at the welding condition of 3000 r/min and 100 mm/min.The onion ring structure was observed in the friction-stir-welded zone (SZ) at the condition of 2000 r/min and 100 mm/min.For all the welding conditions,the grain size of the SZ was smaller than that of the base metal,and was decreased with the decrease of the tool rotation speed and with the increase of the tool traverse speed.The stir zone exhibited higher average hardness than the base metal.The decrease of the tool rotation speed and the increase of the tool traverse speed resulted in the increase in the average hardness of the SZ.The tensile strength of the FSWed plates was similar to that of the base metal,except for at the welding condition of 3000 r/min and 100 mm/min.The total elongation of the FSWed plates was lower than that of the base metal.     

Non-isothermal aging behavior of in-situ AA2024−Al3NiCu composite

The effect of non-isothermal aging treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of in-situ AA2024?Al₃NiCu composite fabricated by the stir casting process was examined. The Al₃NiCu intermetallic was created by adding 3 wt.% nickel powder during stir casting and homogenization treatment at 500 °C for 24 h after casting. The microstructural results obtained using optical and scanning electron microscope indicate that, after non-isothermal aging treatment, the S-Al₂CuMg precipitates become finer, forming a poor zone of this precipitate in the area between the dendrites. Also, adding nickel during stir casting reduces the precipitation rate and the contribution of S-Al₂CuMg precipitates in strengthening composite during non-isothermal aging. The maximum hardness, ultimate tensile strength, and toughness achieved in the 3 wt.% nickel-containing sample after non-isothermal aging at 250 °C are (121.30±4.21) HV, (221.67±8.31) MPa, and (1.67±0.08) MJ/m³, respectively. The maximum hardness and ultimate tensile strength of AA2024?Al₃NiCu composite are decreased by 6% and 4%, respectively, compared to those of nickel-free AA2024 aluminum alloy.     

C18000铜合金搅拌摩擦焊接头微观组织与性能

对3.5 mm厚的C18000铜合金板进行搅拌摩擦焊焊接试验. 在焊接速度120 mm/min,转速1 200 r/min工艺下获得无缺陷焊接接头. 在金相显微镜下对接头的宏观形貌、微观组织进行观察,用扫描电镜和透射电镜对母材和搅拌区组织进行观察分析. 结果表明,接头区大致分为母材区、热影响区、热力影响区和搅拌区,搅拌区晶粒细小均匀,热力影响区晶粒沿边界切线方向被拉长;搅拌区Cr₃Si相部分溶解,搅拌区组织中的Cr单质相和Ni₂Si相溶解导致接头硬度和抗拉强度下降. 搅拌区平均硬度为151.4 HV;接头抗拉强度为497 MPa,达到母材的72%;接头电导率下降为35%IACS.     

Microstructural characterisation of stir zone containing residual ferrite in friction stir welded 304 austenitic stainless steel

Abstract

Friction stir welding was applied to a 2 mm thick 304 austenitic stainless steel plate. The microstructural evolution and hardness distribution in the weld were investigated. The stir zone (SZ) and thermomechanically affected zone (TMAZ) showed dynamically recrystallised and recovered microstructures, respectively, which are typically observed in friction stir welds in aluminium alloys. The hardness of the SZ was higher than that of the base material and the maximum hardness was observed at the TMAZ. The higher hardness at the TMAZ was attributed to high densities of dislocations and subboundaries. Microstructural observations revealed that the ferrite was formed along grain boundaries of the austenite matrix in the advancing side of the SZ. It is suggested that the frictional heat due to stirring resulted in the phase transformation of austenite to ferrite and that upon rapid cooling the ferrite was retained in the SZ.     

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.     

Brazing of TiBw/TC4 composite and Ti60 alloy using TiZrNiCu amorphous filler alloy

TiB_w/TC4 composite was brazed to Ti60 alloy successfully using TiZrNiCu amorphous filler alloy, and the interfacial microstructures and mechanical properties were characterized by SEM, EDX, XRD and universal tensile testing machine. The typical interfacial microstructure was TiB_w/TC4 composite/β-Ti + TiB whiskers/(Ti, Zr)₂(Ni, Cu) intermetallic layer/β-Ti/Ti60 alloy when being brazed at 940 °C for 10 min. The interfacial microstructure evolution was influenced strongly by the diffusion and reaction between molten fillers and the substrates. Increasing brazing temperature decreased the thickness of brittle (Ti, Zr)₂(Ni, Cu) intermetallic layer, which disappeared finally when the brazing temperature exceeded 1020 °C. Fracture analyses indicated that cracks were initialized in the brittle intermetallic layer when (Ti, Zr)₂(Ni, Cu) phase existed in the brazing seam. The maximum average shear strength of joints reached 368.6 MPa when brazing was conducted at 1020 °C. Further increasing brazing temperature to 1060 °C, the shear strength was decreased due to the formation of coarse lamellar (α+β)-Ti structure.     

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.     

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.     

Reducing Intermetallic Compounds of Mg/Al Joint in Friction Stir Lap Welding

To reduce intermetallic compounds (IMCs) of Al₁₂Mg₁₇ and Al₃Mg₂ in Mg/Al friction stir lap welding joint, pin tip was plunged into the lower sheet at a small distance. Results showed that at a fixed welding speed of 50 mm/min, sound joints were obtained using rotating speeds from 750 to 500 rpm, and the IMCs zones were rather small. Cracks easily appeared inside IMCs inside onion ring and at lap interface. Therefore, reducing the IMC was beneficial for reducing the crack. Joint lap shear stress firstly increased and then decreased with decrease in the rotating speed. The maximum shear stress of 50.2 MPa was attained at a rotating speed of 500 rpm because of reduced IMC.