Investigation on Joining of Aluminum and Mild Steel by Friction Stud Welding

Abstract

Joining of dissimilar metals has various automotive, aerospace, nuclear, chemical, and cryogenic applications. The present study focuses on friction stud welding of aluminum and mild steel. Experiments had been conducted by varying the process parameters and the strength of the friction welded joints was evaluated. Experimental results show that the speed of rotation, friction time, and axial shortening distance have significant effect on the impact strength of the welded joints. The dissipation of frictional heat from the weld center results in temperature gradient across the welded joint, causing different zones with different microstructures. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrograph reveals the presence of three distinctive regions in the heat-affected zone, namely, fully plasticized deformed zone, partially deformed zone, and unaffected base metal zone. The microhardness values were measured across the welded joint. At the interfacial region, there is an increased plastic deformation. This is due to the rise in heat input during friction stage and applied upsetting load in the forging stage. Consequently, there is an increase in hardness at the interfacial region of the welded joint.