Evaluation of Mechanical and Metallurgical Properties of Dissimilar Materials by Friction Welding

Abstract

Friction welding has been widely used to metals with dissimilar materials due to solid state joining process and shows good mechanical properties. In this study, the effect of mechanical and metallurgical properties of austenitic stainless steel (304L) and copper were experimentally investigated by tensile and hardness test while the metallurgical properties of optical, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy was used to analyze the microstructure of the welded joint. The joints were also examined with EDX line in order to understand the phases formed during welding. The material is evaluated by tensile test and their strength is determined and the hardness test measurements are examined in base metal and heat affected zone. The bonded materials of austenitic stainless steel and copper joint were produced by varying the friction pressure, upset pressure and rotational speed through Taguchi's orthogonal array. The highest tensile strength obtained in friction welded joint was 2.52% higher than parent material of copper. The effects of metallurgical characterization are discussed based on the microstructural studies.