Experimental investigations on the effect of welding parameters on dissimilar friction stir welded aa6061 and aa5052 aluminium alloys

Abstract

Lightweight materials for vehicles result in the lower overall weight of a vehicle and in turn tend to reduce pollution produced by transportation vehicle. Over the last three decades, aluminium is one such material that has replaced ferrous metals in automotive applications, due to continuous efforts of the research fraternity in developing alloys of aluminium, which are lighter and stronger. The joining of materials is a major deciding factor in the use of different materials in an assembly. newlineFriction Stir Welding (FSW) process is the preferred technique for joining of dissimilar metals. Aluminium is the preferred alternative material to high density materials owing to its high strength to wait ratio. One such aluminium is AA 6061 which is a heat treatable alloy used in crossmembers, wheels, receiver tanks and propeller shafts. Similarly, AA 5052 is non heat treatable alloy with corrosion resistance and formability and is used in meter display panels and AT drums. newlineThis work studies the mechanical and metallurgical properties of dissimilar friction stir welded aluminium alloys, AA6061 and AA5052. The objective of the study is to find the optimum welding parameters at which the maximum weld joint strength can be achieved and to identify the influence of those parameters on the weld strength and microstructure of the AA6061 with AA5052 welded joints. The FSW process parameters such as traverse speed, tool rotational speed, axial force and tilt angle were considered. newline newline