Effect of Tool Pin Profile and Tool Rotational Speed on Mechanical Properties of Friction Stir Welded AA6061 Aluminium Alloy

Abstract

AA6061 aluminium alloy (Al-Mg-Si alloy) has gathered wide acceptance in the fabrication of light weight structures requiring a high strength-to-weight ratio and good corrosion resistance. Compared to many of the fusion welding processes that are routinely used for joining structural aluminium alloys, the Friction Stir Welding (FSW) process is an emerging solid state joining process in which the material that is being welded does not melt and recast. This process uses a nonconsumable tool to generate frictional heat in the abutting surfaces. The welding parameters such as tool rotational speed, welding speed, axial force, etc., and tool pin profile play a major role in deciding the joint properties. In this investigation, an attempt has been made to study the effect of rotational speed and tool pin profile on mechanical properties of AA6061 aluminium alloy. Five different tool pin profiles (straight cylindrical, tapered cylindrical, threaded cylindrical, triangular, and square) have been used to fabricate the joints at five different tool rotational speeds (800–1600 RPM). Tensile properties, microhardness, and microstructure of the joints have been evaluated. From this investigation it is found that the joints fabricated using square pin profiled tool with a tool rotational speed of 1200 RPM exhibited superior mechanical properties compared to other joints.