TWI

Two abutting plates (thickness 6 mm) of Al 6061-T6 and cold rolled AISI 1018 mild steel were friction stir welded along the butt joint with the steel and aluminium, respectively, on advancing and retreating sides, and the relationship between process parameters (traverse speed 130-230 mm/min, tool rotational speed 416-757 rpm, tool pin offset 0 or 2 mm), weld microstructure and mechanical properties was investigated. A W-Re tool incorporating a triflute pin design with cutting edges was employed, and 2 mm tool pin offset was provided towards the aluminium side. Results are presented on weld quality, joint tensile strength, ductile fracture and stress-strain behaviour, microhardness profiles across HAZ, TMAZ (thermomechanically affected zone) and nugget, and a microstructural analysis of intermetallic phases.

6th International Symposium, 10-13 Oct 2006, Session 14B: Dissimilar and Metallurgy II, Paper 01