An experimental Investigation of the effect of variation of tool Geometry and Optimization of process parameters on friction stir welded Aluminium Alloys

Abstract

Friction Stir Welding (FSW) produces higher quality welds with fewer defects like porosity, and cracking and material properties closer to the parent metal as compared to most other welding processes. A solid state process which is particularly suitable for welding aluminum is Friction newlineStir Welding (FSW) as it can overcome the difficulties in conventional welding of aluminum alloys. A non-consumable tool is used to generate frictional heat in the abutting surfaces. A shoulder and a pin are the important parts of the tool. This tool makes weld without conventional newlinedefects with good mechanical properties and is especially suited for defence applications. In addition, because friction stir welding is performed below the melting temperature, protection requirements are newlinegreatly reduced. These reasons make this welding process suitable for many applications in aerospace industries. The scope for welding of aluminum alloys using FSW has increased in the recent past. The newlineprocess of welding lower temperature materials by friction stir welding newline(FSW) is extended to weld SS and Titanium. Tool design for friction stir welding determines the joint properties and microstructure, and hence it is one of the most important and critical parameters that influences the FSW process. Tool pin profile, axial force, tool rotational speed, and newlinewelding speed are a few of the other important parameters that decide newlinethe weld quality.