Investigation of Mechanical Properties and Microstructure Characteristics of Friction Stir Welded Aluminium 6083 and Pure Copper Plates Using Conical Threaded Tool.

Abstract

Friction stir welding (FSW) is a welding technique employed for obtaining welds for high strength applications. Friction Stir Welding is a solid-state welding technique widely used in aerospace, automotive, and marine industries for joining aluminium alloys and other non-ferrous materials. Aluminium of 6083 series along with Copper was welded using modified milling machine. In order to test welding strength flexural, impact and hardness tests are conducted. To investigate material flow and weld defects the microstructure of the joint has been analysed. A vertical axis milling machine was modified to carry out FSW of Pure copper and Aluminium 6083 plates. The objective of this study is to analyse the welded joints that were obtained, to understand the complications that were encountered when utilising the milling machines as a FSW machine and to optimize the welding parameters to get sound welding. For the rotational speed(RS) of 1000RPM with a welding feed rate of 50 mm/min, the flexural strength is 100.527N/mm², for conical thread tool and as a result, a milling machine can be utilised for FSW, flexural strength of the weld is about 72% of that of the base metal.