Multi-objective optimization of friction stir welding parameters using desirability approach to join Al/SiCp metal matrix composites

Silicon carbide particulate (SiC_p) reinforced cast aluminium (Al) based metal matrix composites (MMCs) have gained wide acceptance in the fabrication of light weight structures requiring high specific strength, high temperature capability and good wear resistance. Friction stir welding (FSW) process parameters play major role in deciding the performance of welded joints. The ultimate tensile strength, notch tensile strength and weld nugget hardness of friction stir butt welded joints of cast Al/SiC_p MMCs (AA6061 with 20% (volume fraction) of SiC_p) were investigated. The relationships between the FSW process parameters (rotational speed, welding speed and axial force) and the responses (ultimate tensile strength, notch tensile strength and weld nugget hardness) were established. The optimal welding parameters to maximize the mechanical properties were identified by using desirability approach. From this investigation, it is found that the joints fabricated with the tool rotational speed of 1370 r/min, welding speed of 88.9 mm/min, and axial force of 9.6 kN yield the maximum ultimate tensile strength, notch tensile strength and hardness of 265 MPa, 201 MPa and HV114, respectively.     

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.     

6061铝合金FSW接头与MIG焊接头对比试验

采用搅拌摩擦焊(FSW)和MIG焊分别对6061铝合金板进行了焊接试验,测试了焊接接头的强度,观察了焊接接头的金相组织,并进行了接头的硬度分布测试.结果表明,搅拌摩擦焊接头抗拉强度高达212.05 MPa,是母材抗拉强度的86％,比MIG焊的接头强度略高.焊接接头软化区宽度比MIG焊接头软化宽度窄.6061铝合金母材为典型的轧制组织,焊核区为细小的等轴晶组织,MIG焊接头焊缝为柱状晶组织.     

超声振动对6061-T4铝合金搅拌摩擦焊接头组织和性能的影响

利用自主研制的试验装置,通过工具头将超声振动能量施加在搅拌头前方的待焊工件上,研究了超声振动能量对减少焊接缺陷、改善搅拌摩擦焊接头组织和力学性能的影响.对6 mm厚度6061-T4铝合金板进行了超声振动强化搅拌摩擦焊工艺试验,并与相同工艺条件下的常规搅拌摩擦焊进行了对比.结果表明,超声振动能够减小焊速/转速比较大时的焊缝内部隧道型缺陷,增大材料对接混合区宽度和焊核区体积,细化焊核区和热力影响区微观组织,提高接头抗拉强度和焊核区显微硬度.     

Rupture locations of friction stir welded joints of AA2017-T351 and AA6061-T6 aluminum alloys

The tensile rupture locations of friction stir welded joints of AA2017-T351 and AA6061-T6 aluminum alloys were examined. The experiments show that the rupture locations of the joints are different for the two aluminum alloys, which are influenced by the welding parameters. When the joints are free of welding defects, the AA2017-T351 joints are ruptured in the weld nugget adjacent to the thermo-mechanically affected zone on the advancing side and the rupture surfaces appear as oval contours of the weld nugget, while the AA6061-T6 joints are ruptured in the heat affected zone on the retreating side and the rupture surfaces are inclined at a certain degree to the bottom surfaces of the joints. When welding defects are present in the joints, the AA2017-T351 joints are ruptured in the weld center, while the AA6061-T6 joints are ruptured on the retreating side near the weld center. The rupture locations of the joints are dependent on the internal structures of the joints and can be explained through them.     

搅拌摩擦焊AA7075-T651铝合金接头的疲劳裂纹扩展(英文)

研究12 mm厚AA7075-T651铝合金板搅拌摩擦焊接头的疲劳裂纹扩展行为。从搅拌摩擦焊接头以及母材中截取试样,对试样进行疲劳裂纹扩展实验。对搅拌摩擦焊接头以及母材的横向拉伸性能进行评估。用光学显微镜和透射电镜分析焊接接头的显微组织。用扫描电镜观察试样的断裂表面。与母材相比,焊接接头的ΔKcr降低了10×10-3 MPa·m1/2。搅拌摩擦焊AA7075-T651接头的疲劳寿命明显低于母材的,其原因可归结于焊缝区的析出相在搅拌摩擦焊接过程中的溶解。     

Optimizing pulsed current gas tungsten arc welding parameters of AA6061 aluminium alloy using Hooke and Jeeves algorithm

Though the preferred welding process to weld aluminium alloy is frequently constant current gas tungsten arc welding （CCGTAW）, it resulted in grain coarsening at the fusion zone and heat affected zone（HAZ）. Hence, pulsed current gas tungsten arc welding（PCGTAW） was performed, to yield finer fusion zone grains, which leads to higher strength of AA6061 （Al-Mg-Si） aluminium alloy joints. In order to determine the most influential control factors which will yield minimum fusion zone grain size and maximum tensile strength of the joints, the traditional Hooke and Jeeves pattern search method was used. The experiments were carried out based on central composite design with 31 runs and an algorithm was developed to optimize the fusion zone grain size and the tensile strength of pulsed current gas tungsten arc welded AA6061 aluminium alloy joints. The results indicate that the peak current （Ip） and base current （IB） are the most significant parameters, to decide the fusion zone grain size and the tensile strength of the AA6061 aluminum alloy joints.     

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.     

Phase-field modelling of dynamic recrystallization process during friction stir welding of aluminium alloys

ABSTRACT

Numerical investigation on dynamic recrystallization in friction stir welds is of great significance to control the microstructure evolution and grains size in joints. The recrystallization and grain growth in the nugget centre of friction stir welded 6061 aluminium alloy are numerically simulated by combining the multiphase-field model with Kocks–Mecking dislocation model and employing the calculated temperature and strain rate variations with time in FSW process. The reliability of the model is verified by electron backscattered diffraction measurement results of grains size distribution at the same position. The specific reasons for different grain sizes under different levels of welding speed are quantitatively analysed. The ratios of recrystallization duration to deformation period and incubation period to deformation time are determined.     

Mechanical properties of friction stir welded Al alloys with different hardening mechanisms

The mechanical properties of precipitation hardened Al 6061-T651 and Al 7075-T6 and strain hardened Al 5083-H32, friction stir welded with various welding parameters, were examined in the present study. 4 mm thick Al 6061-T651, Al 7075-T6, and Al 5083-H32 alloy plates were used for friction stir welding (FSW) with rotating speed varied from 1000 to 2500 rpm (rotation per minute) and welding speed ranging from 0.1 to 0.4 mpm (m/min). Each alloy displayed slightly different trends with respect to the effect of different welding parameters on the tensile properties of the FSWed Al alloys. The tensile elongation of FSWed Al 6061-T651 and Al 7075-T6 tended to increase greatly, while the tensile strength decreased marginally, with increasing welding speed and/or decreasing rotating speed. The tensile strength and the tensile elongation of Al 6061-T651 decreased from 135 to 154 MPa and 10.6 to 17.0%, respectively, with increasing welding speed from 0.1 to 0.4 mpm at a rotating speed of 1,600 rpm. Unlike the age-hardened Al 6061-T651 and Al 7075-T6, the strain-hardened Al 5083-H32 showed no notable change in tensile property with varying welding parameters. The change in the strength level with different welding parameters for each alloy was not as significant as the variation in tensile elongation. It was believed that the tensile elongation of FSWed Al alloys with varying welding parameters was mainly determined by the coarse particle clustering. With respect to the change in tensile strength during friction stir welding, it is hypothesized that two competing mechanisms, recovery by friction and heat and strain hardening by plastic flow in the weld zone offset the effects of different welding parameters on the tensile strength level of FSWed Al alloys.     

Characterisation of welded joints produced by FSW in AA 1100–B4C metal matrix composites

Abstract

The feasibility of friction stir welding for joining AA 1100 based metal matrix composites reinforced with B₄C particulate is studied for 16 and 30%B₄C volume concentrations. For both composites, friction stir welding has a significant influence on the particle size distribution and the matrix grain size. For the 16% composite, the average particle size decreases after welding by ～20% and the grain size from 15 to 5 μm as measured in the weld nugget. Tensile testing of welded joints showed up to 100% joint efficiency for both annealed AA 1100–16%B₄C and AA 1100–30%B₄C composite materials. However, if the ultimate tensile strength values of all the studied composites are similar at ～130 MPa, then the weld ductility is higher for the annealed materials. Furthermore, it was observed that varying the welding speed between 100 and 275 mm min^?1 does not influence the tensile properties and the particle size distribution in the nugget.     

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.     

Microstructure evolution and fracture behaviour of friction stir welded 6061-T6 thin plate joints under high rotational speed

6061-T6 sheets with 0.8?mm thickness were successfully welded using high-speed friction stir welding (FSW) technology. The microstructural evolution and fracture behaviour of the joints were studied. The results show that sound joints could be obtained at the investigated high rotational speed of 8000?rev?min^?1 and welding speeds of 300–1200?mm?min^?1. Compared with conventional rotational speed, the grain size in the nugget zone (NZ) is obviously refined under high rotational speed. The Mg₂Si, Al₈Fe₂Si and Al₂CuMg precipitates reprecipitated adequately in the NZ during high-speed FSW, resulting in the number of the precipitates increased significantly, and further alleviating the weld softening. The difference in weld softening leads to different fracture characteristics during the tensile process. After artificial aging, the maximum welding softening in all joints is located in the heat affected zone, and the fracture is characterised by brittle fracture.     

Friction stir welding of AZ31 magnesium alloy

Friction stir welding (FSW) is an new solid-phase joining technology which has more advantages over fusion welding methods in welding of aluminum and other non-ferrous metals. The effects of welding parameters on mechanical properties and microstructure during friction stir welding of AZ31 magnesium alloy were studied in this paper. Microstructures and mechanical properties of the joints were investigated by means of optical microscopy, scanning electric microscopy ( SEM ) , micro-hardness analysis, and tensile test. Experimental results show that the magnesium alloy can be successfully welded by FSW method, and the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of FSW joint reaches up to 90 percent of base metal. The microstructures of welded joints exhibit the variation from dynamically recrystallized fine grains to greatly deformed grains. Hardness in nugget zone was found lower than the base metal but not too obvious.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of friction stir weld of dissimilar AZ31-O magnesium alloy to 6061-T6 aluminum alloy

Dissimilar friction stir welding between AZ31-O Mg and 6061-T6 Al alloys was investigated. 3 mm thick plates of aluminum and magnesium were used. Friction stir welding operations were performed at different rotation and travel speeds. The rotation speeds varied from 600 to 1400 r/min, and the travel speed varied from 20 to 60 mm/min. Defect-free weld was obtained with a rotation speed of 1000 r/min and travel speed of 40 mm/min. Metallographic studies showed that the grain size in the stir zone is much finer than that in the base metals. Complex flow pattern was formed in the stir zone. Microhardness measurement revealed an uneven distribution in the stir zone. Tensile test results indicated that the tensile strength of the welded specimen is about 76% of AZ31 Mg alloy and 60% of the 6061 Al alloy in tensile strength. SEM fracture surface image of the welded specimen indicated that the welded specimen failed through brittle-mode fracture.     

Microstructure and Properties of Friction Stir Welded Joints of Al-Mg-Sc Alloy Plates

采用搅拌摩擦焊对铝镁钪合金热轧板和冷轧-退火板进行焊接。测定焊接接头的硬度分布和拉伸力学性能,采用金相和透射电子显微技术分析焊缝区显微组织特征和力学性能的关系。结果表明,热轧板和冷轧-退火板搅拌摩擦焊焊接系数高达92%;焊接接头上焊核区硬度最低、拉伸断口位于焊核区;焊核区在热循环作用下发生部分再结晶导致的亚结构强化的减弱以及Al3(Sc,Zr)粒子共格强化作用的消失是搅拌摩擦焊焊核区强度下降的主要原因。     

Al-Mg-Mn-Sc-Zr合金板材搅拌摩擦焊和氩弧焊焊接接头的对比

研究Al-Mg-Mn-Sc-Zr合金的焊接工艺和焊接接头组织和性能。采用搅拌摩擦焊（FSW）和氩弧焊（TIG）2种焊接工艺对该合金的热轧和冷轧-退火2种使用态板材进行焊接。采用比较研究的方法测定和研究焊接接头的力学性能和显微组织,利用光学显微镜和透射电子显微镜研究焊缝的显微组织和力学性能之间的关系。结果表明,与基材相比,Al-Mg-Mn-Sc-Zr合金的热轧和冷轧-退火板材的FSW和TIG焊接接头的强度均下降,但FSW焊接系数高于TIG焊接系数。这是因为FSW焊接接头焊核区亚结构强化的丧失和Al3（Sc,Zr）的析出强化作用的极少量丧失,而TIG焊焊接接头的软化主要原因是其形变强化的完全丧失和Al3（Sc,Zr）的析出强化作用的大部分丧失,且搅拌摩擦焊焊核区晶粒比TIG焊的焊缝区晶粒更细小。     

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.     

Influences of tool pin profile and welding speed on the formation of friction stir processing zone in AA2219 aluminium alloy

AA2219 aluminium alloy has gathered wide acceptance in the fabrication of light weight structures requiring a high strength to weight ratio. Compared to 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 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 and tool pin profile play major roles in deciding the weld quality. In this investigation, an attempt has been made to understand the effect of welding speed and tool pin profile on FSP zone formation in AA2219 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 welding speeds. 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 pin profiled tool produces mechanically sound and metallurgically defect free welds compared to other tool pin profiles.     

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.