Abstract
The heat input in friction stir welding (FSW) influences the localized properties in welded joint. The external cooling during FSW reduces the localized heating and post-weld cooling time by extracting heat comparatively at a faster rate. In the present study, we have investigated the effect of different cooling environments on the performance of friction stir-welded (FSWed) AA5052 strain-hardenable aluminum alloy. Welding was performed under three different cooling environments such as natural air, water and liquid nitrogen in order to understand their effects on grain structure, metallurgical changes and mechanical properties of the joints. It has been noted that the width of weld nugget zone, thermo-mechanically affected zone and heat-affected zone has been decreased with the respective change in cooling environments. Welding speed could also influence the width of different zones in weldment alike the cooling environments. Finer grain size has been noticed with water cooling against the liquid nitrogen cooling. Comparatively, water was observed to be more favorable cooling environment against liquid nitrogen because of its better weld quality (97%) compared with base metal. The favorable mechanical properties resulting from the different weldment regions for different cooling environments have been elaborated in the present study.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
