Development of Mechanism for Frictional Stir Welding of Cylindrical Pipes

Abstract

In Friction Stir Welding (FSW) process, there is a substantial amount of research done on aluminum plate but very few are found for aluminum pipe due to its tubular shape. A specially customized Orbital Clamping Unit (OCU) was used and fixed on the drilling machine in order to weld an aluminum alloy 6063 pipe butt joint at several welding parameters. This OCU will hold the work pieces together tightly, rotate them at the required constant low speed, and ensure easy removal. This paper will investigate the effect of welding parameters on the tensile strength of joint produced by the FSW process. Several good samples of pipes joint were produced using the present experiment setting.