Friction stir welding process: An investigation of microstructure and mechanical properties of Al Alloy AlMg4.5Mn joint

Abstract

Aluminium alloy AlMg4.5Mn has got comprehensive acceptance in the manufacturing of light weight frames, marine structures which require high strength and worthy corrosion revulsion. The present investigation work focuses on friction stir welding process in which influences of operating parameters have been studied on friction stir welded butt joints. The FSWed joints specimens have been produced by experimentation at three levels of tool traverse speed and tool rotational speed keeping input force and tool tilt angle constant. Mechanical properties and microstructure of welded joints have been investigated in the present study. Change in the microstructure at different zones which transforms the mechanical properties of welded joints was due to the asymmetrical flow of material and thermal cycles around the pin. The second phase beta grains are formed as the very high temperature reached due to input parameters combinations. Traverse speed (TS) and tool rotational speed (TRS) are taken in a range of 16-40 mm/min and 500-1400 rpm, respectively. The best combination of parameters results in higher tensile strength which is well supported by the micro-hardness curve and the compact grains microstructure profile. Microstructure at different points and physical properties exhibited by the welded joint are well brought into line to summarize the effects of different parameters.

Influence of tool pin profile on the mechanical strength and surface roughness of AA6061-T6 overlap joint friction stir welding

“…Rao et al [19] found friction stir welding in ISO: 65032 aluminium alloy to investigate its influence on tool spindle speed and joining speed. Kundu and Sigh [20] have investigated the effect of spindle speed and feed rate of the FSW process on the microstructure of AA 5083 and its effect on the mechanical properties of the join. Venkata et al [21] have used two types of tool pins, namely cone and triangle pins, by conducting FSW against AA2019 aerospace and defense aluminium alloy.…”

Mechanical and fracture properties of aluminium cylinders manufactured by orbital friction stir welding

“…Dealing with the FSW process, most of the previous research works are focused on linear welding of plates (such as lap, butt and T‐joint welds) for different alloys 3–15 . However, reliable and practical usage of this technique for joining cylinders, pipes and tubes requires a suitable and optimized orbital FSW on cylindrical shells.…”

Tribological, structural and mechanical characteristics of friction stir processed aluminium-based matrix composites reinforced with stainless steel micro-particles

“…Friction stir processing (FSP) was initially derived in 1999 from the work of (Gerlich, 2017;Mishra & Ma, 2005;Mishra et al, 2014) which took its root from a novel technique called friction stir welding (FSW) that was invented in 1991 and patented by the welding institute (TWI) of UK as a solid-state joining method. Afterwards, a large number of research papers have been published for investigating the mechanical properties, microstructure and quality of FSW and FSP components (Narasimharaju & Sankunny 2019;Kundu & Singh 2017;Jian et al 2018;Aliha et al 2016;Taheri-Behrooz et al 2018;Torabi et al 2018;Akbari et al2017Behnagh et al 2012;Shahraki et al 2013;Asadi et al 2012). Since the liberation of FSP in 1999, thousands of articles, hundreds of patents, thousands of textbooks as well as reviewed and peer-reviewed magazines had been in circulation which have been imparting life till date.…”