Abstract
Friction stir welding of aluminum alloys has been progressively used in different industries on the ground of higher welding quality in comparison to fusion welding. In this article, friction stir welding of 6061-T6 aluminum alloy with 9.6 mm thickness was carried out by using three different welding speeds (63, 89 and 110 mm/min). The effect of welding speed on macro- and microstructure, micro hardness, tensile properties and kissing bond was investigated. Results show that the Low Hardness Zone was moved toward the weld center by increasing the welding speed. The average micro hardness in the weld nugget zone increased from 60.1 to 67.6 HV with the raise of welding speed from 63 to 110 mm/min. Thermo Mechanical Affected Zone was clearly revealed using Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The kissing bond was studied by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) mapping. It was proven that the damaging effect of kissing bond was linked to location of this discontinuity, although the growth of kissing bond was linked to higher welding speed. The maximum value of Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) (159 MPa) was obtained at 110 mm/min, whereas the Yield Strength (YS) in the sample at 89 and 110 mm/min welding speed exhibit the same trend with 137 MPa and 134 MPa respectively.
Highlights
AA6061, one of most common alloy among AA6XXX series aluminum alloys, shows special properties in industrial application such as high strength to weight ratio, plasticity, capacity for crucial shape forming along its ease for joining and good corrosion resistance [1,2,3]
The weldment regions consist of three typical zones including the heat affected zone (HAZ), the thermo-mechanically affected Zone (TMAZ), and the nugget zone (NZ)
Increase in welding speed from 63 to 89 mm/min makes γ decrease from 15° to 12°, the Increase in welding speed from 63 to 89 mm/min makes γ decrease from 15◦ to 12◦, changes in β are inconsiderable (Figure 6), which means that the size of HAZ and TMAZ located the changes areand inconsiderable means that the size of and TMAZ
Summary
AA6061, one of most common alloy among AA6XXX series aluminum alloys, shows special properties in industrial application such as high strength to weight ratio, plasticity, capacity for crucial shape forming along its ease for joining and good corrosion resistance [1,2,3] It is increasingly used for versatile applications such as design of armor structures, shipbuilding, aerospace, automotive industries, lightweight defense vehicles and marine structures [1,2,3]. The existence of kissing bond is more important when it is located in the root of weld In both fusion and solid state processes, the main metallurgical issue is the softening or solution of precipitants in heat affected zone (HAZ) and weld zone (WZ) of joint, the heat is lower in FSW. The microstructure, hardness and tensile properties were investigated; kissing bond and its effect on tensile properties were illustrated
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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.
