A physically based material model for the simulation of friction stir welding

Abstract

A physically based material model, taking into account the interdependence of material microstructure and yield strength, is presented for an Al 5182 series aluminum alloy for the simulation of friction stir welding using continuum mechanics approaches. A microstructure evolution equation considering dislocation density and grain size is used in conjunction with a description of yield stress. In order to fit experimental stress-strain curves, obtained from compression tests at various strain rates and temperatures, phenomenological relationships are developed for some of the model parameters. The material model is implemented in smoothed particle hydrodynamic research code as well as in the commercial finite element code Abaqus. Simulations for various strain rates and temperatures were performed and compared with experimental results as well as between the two discretization methods in order to verify the material model and the implementation. Simulations provide not only an accurate approximation of stress based on temperature, strain rate, and strain but also an improved insight into the microstructural evolution of the material.