Friction Stir Welding on Light-Weight Metal - Aluminum Alloy Al6061

Abstract:

Friction stir welding (FSW) is a solid state joining process in which metals are joined together using frictional heat and severe plastic deformation. The heating and the mixing of the metals is performed using a hardened tool with a shoulder and pin. FSW of lightweight metal alloy Al6061 has been carried out in the present study. For welding aluminum the parameters used were a constant tool rotation speed of 1600 rpm and varying tool translation speeds of 250, 500, 750 and 1000 mm/min. The welded coupons were characterized for microstructural observations and mechanical properties such as tensile and Charpy impact properties. The tensile and impact properties were studied at two different temperature namely, room temperature (RT) and 300°C. The FS welded aluminum specimens showed 86% – 98% tensile yield strength, in comparison to the base material at RT. At 300°C, the yield strength was observed to be 85% to 93% of the base material value. For the impact properties, the Al specimens showed 60% – 140% specific impact energy, in comparison to their respective base materials. Based on the mechanical properties and microstructural examination, the optimal weld parameter was identified as 1600 rpm and 250 mm/min which is dependent on the tool pin and shoulder design utilized in the study.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volume 879)
• Pages: 1233-1238
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.879.1233
• Online since: November 2016
• Authors: Vasanth Chakravarthy Shunmugasamy, Bilal Mansoor*
• Keywords: Aluminum Alloy, Friction Stir Welding, High Temperature Property, Mechanical Testing

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