Numerical Simulation for the Optimization of Polygonal Pin Profiles in Friction Stir Welding of Aluminum

The tool with polygonal pin profile has been widely employed in friction stir welding(FSW) of aluminum, but there is hardly an effective optimization methodology existed as the thermomechanical characteristics affected by pins with various flats number have not been understood comprehensively. Therefore, the present work employs a 3-dimensional computational fluid dynamics(CFD) model to have an integrated observation of the FSW process with the effect of polygonal pin profiles. Both the heat generation modes due to contact friction at the tool–workpiece interface and volumetric viscous dissipation in the vicinity of the tool are considered. The model is utilized to give a quantitative analysis of the heat generation, temperature distribution, plastic material flow and welding loads during the FSW process for various tools with polygonal pin profiles, as well as a variety of shoulder diameters, welding speeds and tool rotation speeds. The calculated results of thermal cycles, tool torques and joint cross sections for some typical polygonal pins and welding parameters are all found to be compared well with the experimental ones, which demonstrates the feasibility and applicability of the present numerical model. Particularly, a methodology is developed for the optimization of the flats number by identifying the torque components in both parallel and vertical direction of the pin-side flat region. The results show that the optimized pin flats number increases with increasing tool rotation speed, while the influence of both welding speed and shoulder diameter can be supposed to be insignificant. Moreover, the dependability of the optimized results is also discussed by considering wear tendency and service life of the pin for multiple welding conditions.     

Effect of friction stir welding tool design on welding thermal efficiency

ABSTRACT

Enhancing the heat transfer to the material being welded, instead of the tool, will improve the welding thermal efficiency. Friction stir welding of 5?mm thick 6061-T6 aluminium alloy plates was carried out with the newly produced tools. It was found that the thermal efficiency increased by 4.2% using a tool with all the new design features (i.e. hollow, fluted and thermally insulated) compared to the conventional tool for aluminium welding. To assess the benefits of the new tool design on steel FSW, a finite element numerical simulation study was undertaken. In this case, the simulation results yielded a welding thermal efficiency increase of 10–15% using a thermally coated tool, thereby offering potential productivity gains.     

Finite element modeling of friction stir welding—thermal and thermomechanical analysis

Friction stir welding (FSW) is a relatively new welding process that may have significant advantages compared to the fusion processes as follow: joining of conventionally non-fusion weldable alloys, reduced distortion and improved mechanical properties of weldable alloys joints due to the pure solid-state joining of metals. In this paper, a three-dimensional model based on finite element analysis is used to study the thermal history and thermomechanical process in the butt-welding of aluminum alloy 6061-T6. The model incorporates the mechanical reaction of the tool and thermomechanical process of the welded material. The heat source incorporated in the model involves the friction between the material and the probe and the shoulder. In order to provide a quantitative framework for understanding the dynamics of the FSW thermomechanical process, the thermal history and the evolution of longitudinal, lateral, and through-thickness stress in the friction stirred weld are simulated numerically. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique is used to measure the residual stress of the welded plate, and the measured results are used to validate the efficiency of the proposed model. The relationship between the calculated residual stresses of the weld and the process parameters such as tool traverse speed is presented. It is anticipated that the model can be extended to optimize the FSW process in order to minimize the residual stress of the weld.     

Computational Analysis of Material Flow During Friction Stir Welding of AA5059 Aluminum Alloys

Workpiece material flow and stirring/mixing during the friction stir welding (FSW) process are investigated computationally. Within the numerical model of the FSW process, the FSW tool is treated as a Lagrangian component while the workpiece material is treated as an Eulerian component. The employed coupled Eulerian/Lagrangian computational analysis of the welding process was of a two-way thermo-mechanical character (i.e., frictional-sliding/plastic-work dissipation is taken to act as a heat source in the thermal-energy balance equation) while temperature is allowed to affect mechanical aspects of the model through temperature-dependent material properties. The workpiece material (AA5059, solid-solution strengthened and strain-hardened aluminum alloy) is represented using a modified version of the classical Johnson-Cook model (within which the strain-hardening term is augmented to take into account for the effect of dynamic recrystallization) while the FSW tool material (AISI H13 tool steel) is modeled as an isotropic linear-elastic material. Within the analysis, the effects of some of the FSW key process parameters are investigated (e.g., weld pitch, tool tilt-angle, and the tool pin-size). The results pertaining to the material flow during FSW are compared with their experimental counterparts. It is found that, for the most part, experimentally observed material-flow characteristics are reproduced within the current FSW-process model.     

Friction model for friction stir welding process simulation: Calibrations from welding experiments

The accurate 3D finite element simulation of the Friction Stir Welding (FSW) process requires a proper knowledge of both material and interface behaviors, but friction, the key phenomenon of this process, is quite difficult to model and identify. According to the extreme encountered conditions and the highly coupled nature of the material flow, simple tribological tests are not representative enough, so the welding process itself has been utilized in most analyses of the literature, although its complexity has led to use simplified numerical models and approaches. The recent development of more accurate 3D simulation software, which allows modeling the entire complexity of the FSW process, makes it possible to follow a much more rigorous inverse analysis (or calibration) approach. FSW trials are conducted on an Al 6061 aluminum plate with an unthreaded concave tool. Forces and tool temperatures are accurately recorded at steady welding state, for different welding speeds. The numerical simulations are based on an Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE) formulation that has been implemented in the Forge3^® F.E. software. The main feature of the numerical approach is to accurately compute the contact and frictional surface between the plate and the tool. A first study using Norton's friction model show the great sensitivity of welding forces and tool temperatures to friction coefficients, the need to take into account the changes brought to the contact surface by slight friction variations (thanks to the ALE formulation), the possibility to get very accurate calibrations on forces, and the impossibility to properly render the tool temperature profile. On the other hand, the use of Coulomb's friction model allows obtaining realistic temperature profiles and so calibrating a friction coefficient that offers an excellent agreement with experiments, on forces as much as on tool temperatures, for various welding speeds.     

考虑温变效应的搅拌工具磨损有限元分析

根据搅拌摩擦焊接过程材料热物参数温变特性，基于库伦摩擦做功和经典Archard磨损理论，分别建立了6061铝合金薄板搅拌摩擦焊热源修正模型和搅拌工具H13模具钢磨损模型，并嵌入到Deform有限元仿真软件中，模拟了有无考虑温变下搅拌工具的磨损量分布形貌和磨损规律. 结果表明，两种情况下搅拌工具磨损量分布形貌基本一致，温变效应使得搅拌工具和接头材料间力热作用加剧，在焊接过程中，搅拌工具的磨损系数对温变效应的敏感性要大于材料硬度的变化. 考虑温变效应的搅拌工具磨损模型能更加反映其磨损变化规律，具有较高的磨损预测精度.     

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.     

An integrated model for analysing the effects of ultrasonic vibration on tool torque and thermal processes in friction stir welding

An integrated model of ultrasonic vibration enhanced friction stir welding (UVeFSW) is developed by integrating the thermal-fluid model with the ultrasonic field model and tool torque model. The tool torque and the heat generation rate at tool/workpiece contact interfaces are coupled with the interfacial temperature, strain rate and ultrasonic energy density. The model is used in quantitatively analysing the effects of ultrasonic vibration on tool torque and thermal processes in friction stir welding (FSW). The results show that ultrasonic vibration reduces the flow stress, which results in a decreasing of tool torque, interfacial heat generation rate and interfacial temperature. The complicated interaction of ultrasonic energy with the thermal processes in FSW leads to a gentle thermal gradient and an enhanced plastic material flow in UVeFSW. The model is validated by a comparison of the calculated thermal cycles and tool torque at various welding parameters with the experimentally measured ones.     

Experimental defect analysis and force prediction simulation of high weld pitch friction stir welding

Abstract

Experimental data for AA 6061-T6 friction stir welded at rotational and travel speeds ranging from 1000 to 5000 rev min^?1 and from 290 to 1600 mm min^?1 (11–63 ipm) are presented. The present paper examines the forces and torques during friction stir welding (FSW) with respect to mechanistic defect development owing to process parameter variation. Two types of defects are observed: wormholes and weld deformation in the form of significant excess flash material. A 3D numerical model, implemented using the computational fluids dynamics package Fluent, is used to simulate and investigate the parametric relationship of the forces and torques during FSW. In order to establish a mechanistic quantification of the FSW process, two mechanical models, the Couette and the viscoplastic fluid flow models, were simulated and compared with experimental data for AA 6061-T6.     

2024-T3铝合金搅拌摩擦焊接中搅拌头尺寸和搅拌针形状影响的数值模拟

采用完全热力耦合模型研究了搅拌针直径、轴肩直径以及搅拌针锥角对2024-T3铝合金搅拌摩擦焊接过程中热生成、材料变形和能量历史的影响。结果表明：相比搅拌针接触面,轴肩接触面对搅拌摩擦焊接的热生成起主要作用。增加轴肩直径和减小搅拌针直径均能增加焊接温度,但是轴肩尺寸变化的影响更为明显。与6061-T6铝合金的搅拌摩擦焊接过程相比,2024-T3铝合金搅拌摩擦焊接的能量输入明显增加,同时塑性耗散与摩擦耗散的能量比减小。     

Thermal modeling of friction stir welding in a moving coordinate system and its validation

A three-dimensional heat transfer model for friction stir welding (FSW) is presented in this paper; a moving coordinate is introduced to reduce the difficulty of modeling the moving tool. Heat input from the tool shoulder and the tool pin are considered in the model. The finite difference method was applied in solving the control equations. A non-uniform grid mesh is generated for the calculation. FSW experiments have been done to validate the calculated results. The calculated results are in good agreement with the experimental results. The calculation result also shows that preheat to the workpiece is beneficial to FSW.     

高速列车铝合金车身双热源搅拌摩擦焊仿真

高速列车采用超长铝合金型材作为车身新材料。搅拌摩擦焊以固相连接原理成为高铁车身制造新工艺。针对单热源模型不足,考虑搅拌轴肩转动摩擦生热和搅拌头塑变剪切生热,建立搅拌摩擦焊双热源有限元模型。基于传统熔焊方式,实现满足搅拌焊特征的双面挤压型材接头变形设计。通过ANSYS二次开发,完成该工艺移动瞬态热交换数值仿真,获得焊接全程三维温度场分布,仿真结果与试验数据吻合良好。结果表明,该仿真模型可行．仿真结果合理,为高铁车身国产化制造工艺吸收和工艺优化提供参考。     

Optimization of friction stir welding process to maximize tensile strength of AA6061/ZrB<Subscript>2</Subscript> in-situ composite butt joints

A variety of ceramic particles is added to aluminum alloys to produce aluminum matrix composites (AMCs). Establishing the joining procedure for AMCs is an essential requirement prior to extending their applications. Friction stir welding (FSW) is an emerging solid state welding which eliminates all the defects associated with fusion welding of AMCs. An attempt has been made to friction stir weld AA6061/ ZrB₂ in-situ composite. A four factor, five level central composite rotatable design has been used to minimize the number of experiments. The four factors considered are tool rotational speed, welding speed, axial force and weight percentage of ZrB₂. A mathematical model has been developed incorporating the FSW process parameters to predict the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and FS process is optimized using generalized reduced gradient method (GRG) to maximize the UTS. The effect of process parameters on UTS was analyzed. It was observed that the process parameters independently influence the UTS over the entire range studied in this work.     

Process forces during friction stir welding of aluminium alloys

Abstract

Flow and consolidation of the material under the tool shoulder and subsequent nugget formation are among the least understood aspects of friction stir welding and processing (FSW/P). Welding parameters and tool profile impact the process forces acting on the tool. This work is an observational study of the process forces associated with bead on plate runs on two aluminium alloys, 6061 and F357. Polar plots of the resultant forces acting on the tool spindle are analysed and correlated to the process parameters. The dependence of the nugget's width with various heat indices is evaluated.     

搅拌摩擦焊接的传热和力学计算模型

搅拌摩擦焊接（Ｆｒｉｃｔｉｏｎ Ｓｔｉｒ Ｗｅｌｄｉｎｇ）是最近发展起来的一种新的固态连接技术。它主要用于铝合金,可以得到小变形、低成本和高质量的焊接接头。本文提出一个基于三维热弹塑性有限元分析的传热和力学计算模型。利用该模型可以了解搅拌摩擦焊接过程中的温度分布和循环,并预测焊后的残余应力和变形。对６０６１－Ｔ６铝合金搅拌摩擦焊接进行了实例分析。传热分析表明,铝合金搅拌摩擦焊接时的最高温度不超过材料熔点的８０％,因而属固态连接,同时为预测焊接接头的组织性能提供依据。力学计算结果表明,搅拌摩擦焊接的残余应力与变形要比传统的熔化焊接方法小得多。工件中最大的残余应力大约只有母材屈服极限的２５％～３０％。计算结果与试验数据相近,可作为进一步研究搅拌摩擦焊接过程和优化焊接参数的有效工具。     

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.     

温度峰值影响6061铝/AZ31B镁异种材料FSW接头成形的规律

以6061-T6铝合金与AZ31B镁合金为研究对象,基于Abaqus软件进行了异种材料搅拌摩擦焊过程的温度场数值模拟,重点分析搅拌针偏置镁侧下的搅拌区温度峰值影响焊缝表面成形的规律。结果表明,当焊接温度峰值高于Al-Mg共晶温度时,搅拌针根部附近区域会出现较明显的黏着现象,其随着焊接速度的降低而加剧,这与焊接温度峰值的升高相关。随着焊接速度的增加,焊缝表面更易避免裂纹缺陷的产生。当搅拌头的转速为1200r/min且焊接速度为40mm/min时,6061铝/AZ31B镁异种材料焊接接头的表面成形良好。     

Modelling heat flow around tool probe in friction stir welding

Abstract

The objective of the present paper is to investigate the effect of including the tool probe in the numerical modelling of three-dimensional heat flow in friction stir welding (FSW). The heat flow close to the probe/matrix interface is investigated. In the models presented, the heat is forced to flow around the 'probe hole'. In this manner, the material flow through the probe region, which often characterises other thermal models of FSW, is avoided. This necessitates controlling the convective heat flow by prescribing the velocity field in the narrow shear layer at the tool/matrix interface. As a consequence the sliding, sticking, or partial sliding/sticking condition can be modelled. Six cases are established, which are represented by three stages of refinement of the heat source model, combined with two different contact conditions, i.e. full sliding and full sticking.     

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.     

搅拌摩擦焊接过程中搅拌针锥角和预热对温度分布的影响

搅拌摩擦焊(FSW)被广泛应用在工业上,用来连接有色金属,尤其是铝合金。采用基于有限元分析的三维模型研究FSW过程中铜C11000的热特性。模型包含了搅拌头的机械作用和待焊接材料的热性能,以材料和搅拌针以及轴肩之间的摩擦作为热源。结果表明,温度的预测结果与实验结果具有良好的一致性。此外,数值模拟方法可以简单地应用于测量搅拌头下方工件的温度。研究了预热温度和搅拌针锥角对温度分布的影响。搅拌针锥角的增加可提高焊缝周围的温度,但预热不会影响焊缝周围的温度分布。