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Friction stir welding (FSW) experiments were undertaken on commercially pure titanium and Ti, 6%Al, 4%V alloy sheets (thickness 1.2 and 1.25 mm, respectively), the microstructure of the weldments was examined and the wear mechanisms of the welding tools were analysed. Welding was performed using a W-La based tool with a conical pin, fixed in an oil-cooled tool holder with a shielding gas shroud. The tool holder was equipped with an infrared pyrometer to measure tool surface temperature and a video camera to record the welding process. The welded joints were characterised by stir zone and thermomechanically affected zone (TMAZ) cross-sectional microstructure observations, microhardness measurements and tensile tests. The deformation and abrasion wear mechanisms of FSW tools used for welding of Ti, 6%Al, 4%V alloys are discussed.

9th International Symposium, 15-17 May 2012, Session 6B: High Temperature FSW I, Paper 02