A review on fracture and fatigue behaviour of FSW joints of Al alloys

Abstract

Friction stir welding (FSW) is solid state welding process. In this process two similar or dissimilar metallic plates are join using appropriate heat and mechanical forces with the help of rotating tool. Due to mechanical advantages like high strength to weight ratio, aluminium (Al) alloys commonly used in several engineering prospective. Recently, FSW has gained consideration in the automobile, aerospace and marine industries owing various advantages, like high weld strength, low distortion and good fatigue behaviour. This study concentrates on the fracture and fatigue characteristics of Al alloy FSW joints and importance of optimizing FSW process characteristics such as tool rotational speed, travel speed and tool offset, to obtain best joints with improved mechanical properties. This review also highlights the effect of microstructure and residual stresses on the fracture and fatigue behaviour of FSW joints as well as it provides an overall understanding of the fracture and fatigue behaviour of FSW joints of Al alloys.