Title: A numerical investigation of friction stir welding parameters in joining dissimilar aluminium alloys using finite element method
Authors: Mahmoud Moradi; Mohammad Saleh Meiabadi; Vincent Demers
Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Malayer University, Malayer, Iran ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, École de technologie supérieure, 1100 Notre-Dame West, Montreal, QC, H3C 1K3, Canada ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, École de technologie supérieure, 1100 Notre-Dame West, Montreal, QC, H3C 1K3, Canada
Abstract: Friction stir welding is a relatively new solid-state welding process which has several superiorities over generic welding methods. In this study, aluminium alloys (AA5083-O and AA6061-T6) are selected to investigate effects of three welding variables namely tool rotation speed, tool traverse speed, and tool diameter on temperature distribution, weld width, weld depth, and heat affected zone width using finite element method. The Johnson-Cook plasticity model is implemented into Abaqus software to simulate the material plastic deformation occurring during welding process. The results demonstrated that increasing rotational speed and tool diameter lead in an increase in material temperature. Increasing traverse speed resulted in lower temperature distribution. Temperature distribution, as well as the size and shape of welding areas, are also different due to different mechanical and thermal properties. The wider heat affected zone predicted for the AA6061-T6 can be explained by its higher thermal conductivity and lower specific heat. [Submitted 16 October 2018; Accepted 25 May 2019]
Keywords: friction stir welding; aluminium alloys; dissimilar joining; finite element method.
International Journal of Manufacturing Research, 2021 Vol.16 No.1, pp.32 - 51
Received: 16 Oct 2018
Accepted: 25 May 2019
Published online: 06 Apr 2021 *