Various modelling approaches using commercial numerical software have been proposed in the friction stir welding literature. We initiate a comparative analysis of such modellings, involving aspects such as the constitutive laws, the representation of the continuum medium and the contact between medium and tool, and the definition of the heat sources. Numerical problems are also considered: contact definition, mass scaling, and the use of the arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian in ABAQUS/Explicit. Finally, we propose numerical tests to explore the ability of a Lagrangian code with an ALE option to simulate the process.

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