Evaluation of the mechanical properties of friction stir lap welded joints for dissimilar aluminum alloys(AA1100 To AA6061)

Abstract

In this study friction stir lap welding (FSLW) joints are made for similar and dissimilar aluminum alloys (AA1100 to AA6061-T6) sheets of 3mm thickness by varying the welding parameters, such as tool rotation speeds (1000, 1250 & 1600 rpm) and welding speeds (35, 75 & 100 mm/min) and pin length of (2.8, 5.4 & 5.7mm) with using cylindrical threaded tool pin profile. Many tests and inspections were performed such as X-Ray radiographic and tensile shear test to evaluate the weld quality and joint efficiency under different welding parameters. Microhardness and microstructure observations were carried out at the best welding parameters. The maximum tensile shear force (4.93 KN) and joint efficiency (93%) were obtained when welding process was conducted by a new technique with using friction stir diffusion welding process at the welding speed of 75 mm/min, tool rotation speed of 1250 rpm and using pin length of 2.8 mm. It was found that the Vickers hardness of the similar and dissimilar joints reached to the maximum value at stir zone and drop toward the base metals.