Influence of Contineous Transversal Inclination of Tool on FSW Joints

Abstract

The influence of roll angle of the FSW tool rotation axis on tensile properties of joints was examined to clarify the allowance of deviation from proper tool posture for three-dimensional friction stir welding. A5083-O plates of 3 mm in thickness were butt welded by three-dimensional controlled FSW machine. Transversal inclination of the tool (roll angle of the tool) was continuously changed from 0 degrees to 10 degrees for both sides. Butt joints ruptured at base metal within the range of roll angle of the tool plus/minus 2 degrees, and ruptured at the thin part made by inclined tool shoulder entering in the range by plus/minus 7 degrees. Over the range of plus/minus 7 degrees, butt joints ruptured at elongated cavities made by tool inclination at the border of stir zone and base material.

Optimum Processing and Tool Controls for Three-Dimensional Friction Stir Welding

“…[4][5][6][7][8] However, it is difficult to maintain all welding parameters in appropriate permissible ranges because of the method's limited degrees of freedom for tool control. [9][10][11][12][13] Furthermore, it is also difficult for 3D welding to maintain the steady state of welding conditions as linear welding. Especially, in the area processed with rapid or discontinuous changes of welding parameters, which are unavoidable in 3D welding.…”