Mechanical characterization of friction stir welded dissimilar aluminium alloy using Taguchi approach

Abstract

Friction stir welding (FSW), a type of solid-state welding, joins two metallic workpieces, whether they are the same or different, by plastically deforming the base metal. The metallic workpieces are heated by the friction between them, which results in plastic deformation and welding. The FSW parameters, however, are what primarily determine the weldability and strength of FSW joints. The research on the FSW parameters and their impact on the quality and weldability of aluminium alloys combined with comparable and dissimilar metals by the FSW method has been previously studied, and this review work highlights that research. The majority of comparable research studies concluded that important factors, such as welding speed, rotational speed, plunge depth, spindle torque, shoulder design, base material, pin profile and tool type have a significant impact on the weldability of the aluminium joint when using the FSW method. Aluminium alloy possesses high wear and corrosion resistance; it has to be used in numerous applications such as automobile field, marine and home appliances due to its low weight. This experimental work planned to weld of dissimilar aluminium alloys such as AA7020 and AA8014 through Friction Stir Welding (FSW) process. Taguchi optimization (L9) is considered for this experimental work to examining of mechanical strength such as tensile strength, tensile strength is conducted by using of Universal testing Machine (UTM). FSW parameters are selected as tool speed (1200 rpm, 1400 rpm and 1600 rpm), welding speed (200 mm/min, 300 mm/min and 400 mm/min) and axial force (4 kN, 6 kN and 8 kN). For the tensile strength analysis, the axial force is highly influenced and the maximum tensile strength of 175 MPa is attained.