Establishing empirical relationships to predict grain size and tensile strength of friction stir welded AA 6061-T6 aluminium alloy joints

AA 6061-T6 aluminium alloy(Al-Mg-Si alloy) has gathered wide acceptance in the fabrication of light weight structures requiring a high specific strength and good corrosion resistance.Compared with the fusion welding processes that are routinely used for joining structural aluminium alloys,friction stir welding(FSW) process is an emerging solid state joining process in which the material welded does not melt and recast.Joint strength is influenced by the grain size and tensile strength of the weld nugget region.Hence,an attempt was made to develop empirical relationships to predict grain size and tensile strength of friction stir welded AA 6061-T6 aluminium alloy joints.The empirical relationships are developed by response surface methodology(RSM) incorporating FSW tool and process parameters.A linear regression relationship was also established between grain size and tensile strength of the weld nugget of FSW joints.

Effect of post weld heat treatment on tensile properties and microstructure characteristics of friction stir welded armour grade AA7075-T651aluminium alloy

This paper reports the effects of post weld heat treatments, namely artificial ageing and solution treatment followed by artificial ageing, on microstructure and mechanical properties of 12 mm thick friction stir welded joints of precipitation hardenable high strength armour grade AA7075-T651 aluminium alloy. The tensile properties, such as yield strength, tensile strength, elongation and notch tensile strength, are evaluated and correlated with the microhardness and microstructural features. The scanning electron microscope is used to characterie the fracture surfaces. The solution treatment followed by ageing heat treatment cycle is found to be marginally beneficial in improving the tensile properties of friction stir welds of AA7075-T651 aluminium alloy.

Effect of welding processes on AA2219 aluminium alloy joint properties

AA2219 aluminium alloy square butt joints without filler metal addition were fabricated using gas tungsten arc welding （GTAW）, electron beam welding （EBW） and friction stir welding （FSW） processes. The effects of three welding processes on the tensile, fatigue and corrosion behaviour were studied. Microstructure analysis was carried out using optical and electron microscopes. The results show that the FSW joints exhibit superior tensile and fatigue properties compared to EBW and GTAW joints. It is also found that the friction stir welds show lower corrosion resistance than EB and GTA welds. This is mainly due to the presence of finer grains and uniform distribution of strengthening precipitates in the weld metal of FSW joints.

Effect of tool pin profile on microstructure and tensile properties of friction stir welded dissimilar AA 6061e AA 5086 aluminium alloy joints

Joints between two different grades of aluminium alloys are need of the hour in many light weight military structures.In this investigation,an attempt has been made to join the heat treatable(AA 6061) and non-heat treatable(AA 5086) aluminium alloys by friction stir welding(FSW)process using three different tool pin profiles like straight cylindrical,taper cylindrical and threaded cylindrical.The microstructures of various regions were observed and analyzed by means of optical and scanning electron microscope.The tensile properties and microhardness were evaluated for the welded joint.From this investigation it is founded that the use of threaded pin profile of tool contributes to better flow of materials between two alloys and the generation of defect free stir zone.It also resulted in higher hardness values of 83 HV in the stir zone and higher tensile strength of 169 MPa compared to other two profiles.The increase in hardness is attributed to the formation of fine grains and intermetallics in the stir zone,and in addition,the reduced size of weaker regions,such as TMAZ and HAZ regions,results in higher tensile properties.

Hot Deformation Behavior of 2124 Al Alloy

The mechanical behavior of 2124 Al alloy produced by powder metallurgy was investigated with compression test at different temperatures and strain rates. The tests were performed in the temperature range of 300℃～500℃ and at strain rates from 0.001 s^-1 to 1.0 s^-1. The compression flow curves exhibited an initial sharp increase with strain, followed by monotonous hardening. The maximum stress decreased with decreasing strain rate and increasing temperature. The hot deformation characteristics of the material were studied using processing maps. The domain of safety and unsafe regime were identified and validated through microstructural examination.

Heat treatment optimization for tensile properties of 8011 Al/15% SiCp metal matrix composite using response surface methodology

In this study,a mathematical model was developed to optimize the heat treatment process for maximum tensile strength and ductility of aluminum(8011) silicon carbide particulate composites.The process parameters are solutionizing time,aging temperature,and aging time.The experiments were performed on an universal testing machine according to centre rotatable design matrix.A mathematical model was developed with the main and interactive effects of the parameters considered.The analysis of variance technique was used to check the adequacy of the developed model.The optimum parameters were obtained for maximum tensile strength.Fractographic examination shows the cracks and dimples on the fractured surfaces of heat-treated specimen.

Identifying the optimal HVOF spray parameters to attain minimum porosity and maximum hardness in iron based amorphous metallic coatings

Flow based Erosion e corrosion problems are very common in fluid handling equipments such as propellers, impellers, pumps in warships, submarine. Though there are many coating materials available to combat erosionecorrosion damage in the above components, iron based amorphous coatings are considered to be more effective to combat erosionecorrosion problems. High velocity oxy-fuel(HVOF)spray process is considered to be a better process to coat the iron based amorphous powders. In this investigation, iron based amorphous metallic coating was developed on 316 stainless steel substrate using HVOF spray technique. Empirical relationships were developed to predict the porosity and micro hardness of iron based amorphous coating incorporating HVOF spray parameters such as oxygen flow rate, fuel flow rate, powder feed rate, carrier gas flow rate, and spray distance. Response surface methodology(RSM) was used to identify the optimal HVOF spray parameters to attain coating with minimum porosity and maximum hardness.

Effect of welding processes on mechanical and microstructural characteristics of high strength low alloy naval grade steel joints

Naval grade high strength low alloy(HSLA) steels can be easily welded by all types of fusion welding processes. However, fusion welding of these steels leads to the problems such as cold cracking, residual stress, distortion and fatigue damage. These problems can be eliminated by solid state welding process such as friction stir welding(FSW). In this investigation, a comparative evaluation of mechanical(tensile, impact,hardness) properties and microstructural features of shielded metal arc(SMA), gas metal arc(GMA) and friction stir welded(FSW) naval grade HSLA steel joints was carried out. It was found that the use of FSW process eliminated the problems related to fusion welding processes and also resulted in the superior mechanical properties compared to GMA and SMA welded joints.

Influence of welding processes on microstructure, tensile and impact properties of Ti-6Al-4V alloy joints

Titanium alloys have been successfully applied for aerospace, ship and chemical industries because they possess many good characteristics such as high specific strength, superior corrosion resistance and excellent high temperature resistance. Though these alloys show reasonable weldability characteristics, the joint properties are greatly influenced by the welding processes. Weld thermal cycle of the processes will control the weld metal solidification and subsequent phase transformation and resultant microstructure. The welded joints of Ti-6Al-4V alloy were fabricated by gas tungsten arc welding （GTAW）, laser beam welding （LBW） and electron beam welding （EBW） processes. The joints fabricated by EBW process exhibit higher strength compared with the GTAW and LBW joints; but the joints by GTAW process exhibit higher impact toughness compared with the LBW and EBW joints. The resultant tensile and impact properties of the welded joints were correlated with the weld metal microstructures.

Influences of diffusion bonding process parameters on bond characteristics of Mg-Cu dissimilar joints

In many circumstances,dissimilar metals have to be bonded together and the resulting joint interfaces must typically sustain mechanical and/or electrical forces without failure,which is not possible by fusion welding processes.The melting points of magnesium(Mg)and copper(Cu)have a significant difference(nearly 400℃)and this may lead to a large difference in the microstructure and joint performance of Mg-Cu joints.However,diffusion bonding can be used to join these alloys without much difficulty.This work analyses the effect of parameters on diffusion layer thickness,hardness and strength of magnesium-copper dissimilar joints.The experiments were conducted using three-factor,five-level,central composite rotatable design matrix.Empirical relationships were developed to predict diffusion layer thickness,hardness and strength using response surface methodology.It is found that bonding temperature has predominant effect on bond characteristics.Joints fabricated at a bonding temperature of 450℃, bonding pressure of 12 MPa and bonding time of 30 min exhibited maximum shear strength and bonding strength of 66 and 81 MPa, respectively.

Comparison of the corrosion behaviour of AZ31B magnesium alloy under immersion test and potentiodynamic polarization test in NaCl solution

This paper reports the comparative evaluation of the corrosion behaviour of AZ31B magnesium alloy under immersion and potentiodynamic polarization test in NaCl solution at different chloride ion concentrations,pH value and exposure time.The specimens were exposed to immersion and polarization environments in order to evaluate their corrosion rates.Empirical relationship was established to predict the corrosion rate of AZ31B magnesium alloy.Three factors,five level,central composite rotatable design matrix was used to minimize the number of experimental conditions.Response surface methodology was used to develop the relationship.The developed relationship can be effectively used to predict the corrosion rate of AZ31B magnesium alloy at 95%confidence level for both the testing.This research work proves a better corrosion resistance of AZ31B magnesium alloy at the alkaline solution than the acidic and the neutral solutions,moreover,low corrosion rate was found at low concentrated solution and higher exposure time respectively.

Corrosion performance of friction stir welded AA2024 aluminium alloy under salt fog conditions

Aluminium alloy（AA） 2024 is an important engineering material due to its widespread use in the aerospace industry. However, it is very prone to corrosion attack in chloride containing media. In the present investigation, AA2024 aluminium alloy rolled plates of 5 mm in thickness were friction stir welded. Corrosion performances of the specimens were evaluated by conducting salt fog tests in Na Cl solution at different p H values, chloride ion concentrations and spraying time. In addition, an empirical relationship was established to predict the corrosion rate of friction stir welds of AA2024 aluminium alloy. A central composite rotatable design including three factors and five levels was used to minimize the number of experiments. Response surface methodology（RSM） was used to develop the relationship. The corrosion rate decreased under neutral p H conditions. The corrosion rate increased in acidic and basic conditions. It was also found that the corrosion rate decreased with the increase of spraying time, but the corrosion tended to be uniform with the increment of time and with the increase in the chloride ion concentration, and the corrosion rate increased in the salt spray corrosion test.

Processing map for hot working of SiC_p/7075 Al composites

The hot deformation behaviour of 7075 aluminium alloy reinforced with 10%of SiC particles was studied by employing both"processing maps"and microstructural observations.The composite was characterized by employing optical microscope to evaluate the microstructural transformations and instability phenomena.The material investigated was deformed by compression in the temperature and strain rate ranges of 300-500℃and 0.001-1.0 s-1,respectively.The deformation efficiency was calculated by strain rate sensitivity(m)values obtained by hot compression tests.The power dissipation efficiency and instability parameters were evaluated and processing maps were constructed for strain of 0.5.The optimum domains and instability zone were obtained for the composites.The optimum processing conditions are obtained in the strain rate range of 0.1-0.9 s-1and temperature range of 390-440 ℃with the efficiency of 30%.

Optimization of process parameters for in situ casting of Al/TiB_2 composites through response surface methodology

The mathematical models were developed to predict the ultimate tensile strength （UTS） and hardness of Al/TiB2 MMCs fabricated by in situ reaction process. The process parameters include temperature, reaction time and mass fraction of TiB2. The in-situ casting was carried out based on three-factor five-level central composite rotatable design using response surface methodology （RSM）. The validation of the model was carried out using ANOVA. The mathematical models developed for the mechanical properties were predicted at 95% confidence limit.

Optimization of pulsed current gas tungsten arc welding process parameters to attain maximum tensile strength in AZ31B magnesium alloy

An empirical relationship to predict tensile strength of pulsed current gas tungsten arc welded AZ31B magnesium alloy was developed. Incorporating process parameters such as peak current, base current, pulse frequency and pulse on time were studied. The experiments were conducted based on a four-factor, five-level, central composite design matrix. The developed empirical relationship can be effectively used to predict the tensile strength of pulsed current gas tungsten arc welded AZ31B magnesium alloy joints at 95% confidence level. The results indicate that pulse frequency has the greatest influence on tensile strength, followed by peak current, pulse on time and base current.

Electrochemical corrosion behaviour of stir zone of friction stir welded dissimilar joints of AA6061 aluminium-AZ31B magnesium alloys

Joining of dissimilar metals will offer many advantages in transportation sectors such as fuel consumption,weightreduction and emission reduction.However,joining of aluminium(Al)alloys with magnesium(Mg)alloys by fusion welding processis very complicated.Friction stir welding(FSW)is a feasible method to join these two dissimilar alloys.Mixing these two metalstogether in stir zone(SZ)leads to poor corrosion resistance.In this investigation,an attempt has been made to understand thecorrosion resistance of SZ of FSWed dissimilar joints of AA6061Al alloy and AZ31B Mg alloy.Potentiodynamic polarization testwas conducted by varying chloride ion concentration,pH value of the NaCl solution and exposure time.The corroded surfaces wereanalyzed using optical microscopy,scanning electron microscopy and XRD techniques.Of these three factors investigated,exposuretime is found to be the most significant factor to influence the corrosion behaviour of SZ of friction stir welded dissimilar joints ofAl/Mg alloys.

Influence of variables in deep drawing of AA 6061 sheet

Deep drawing is one of the most important processes for forming sheet metal parts.It is widely used for mass production of cup shapes in automobile,aerospace and packaging industries.Cup drawing,besides its importance as forming process,also serves as a basic test for the sheet metal formability.The effect of equipment and tooling parameters results in complex deformation mechanism.Existence of thickness variation in the formed part may cause stress concentration and may lead to acceleration of damage.Using TAGUCHI's signal-to-noise ratio,it is determined that the die shoulder radius has major influence followed by blank holder force and punch nose radius on the thickness distribution of the deep drawn cup of AA 6061 sheet.The optimum levels of the above three factors,for the most even wall thickness distribution,are found to be punch nose radius of 3 mm,die shoulder radius of 8 mm and blank holder force of 4 kN.

Effect of process parameters on microstructural and mechanical properties of Ti.SS 304L explosive cladding

The present work pertains to the study of microstructure and mechanical properties of explosively cladded commercially pure titanium(cpTi) with austenitic stainless steel(SS 304L) subjected to varied process parameters, viz., loading ratios(mass of explosive or mass of flyer plate) and preset angles. The microstructural study reveals the transformation from straight to wavy interface while increasing loading ratios. Vickers hardness increases with loading ratios, and the maximum hardness is witnessed in the closer proximity of collision interface. Ram tensile and shear strength of explosive claddings are higher than that of parent plates. While the base plate fails in impact test, the flyer plate is deformed, indicating good impact strength. Increased mass of claddings, due to oxide formation, is witnessed in corrosion tests, which confirms the superiority of explosive claddings in corrosive environment. Triaxial weldability window, an analytical estimation for Ti-SS 304L explosive claddings, is developed and correlated.

Prediction and optimization of friction welding parameters for joining aluminium alloy and stainless steel

Friction welding （FW） is a process of solid state joining which is used extensively in recent years due to its advantages such as low heat input,production efficiency,ease of manufacture and environment friendliness.Friction welding can be used to join different types of ferrous metals and non-ferrous metals that cannot be welded by traditional fusion welding processes.The process parameters such as friction pressure,forging force,friction time and forging time play the major roles in determining the strength of the joints.In this investigation an attempt was made to develop an empirical relationship to predict the tensile strength of friction welded AA 6082 aluminium alloy and AISI 304 austenitic stainless steels joints,incorporating above said parameters.Response surface methodology （RSM） was applied to optimizing the friction welding process parameters to attain the maximum tensile strength of the joint.

Experimental and numerical investigation on under-water friction stir welding of armour grade AA2519-T87 aluminium alloy

Friction stir welding(FSW) is a promising welding process that can join age hardenable aluminium alloys with high joint efficiency. However,the thermal cycles experienced by the material to be joined during FSW resulted in the deterioration of mechanical properties due to the coarsening and dissolution of strengthening precipitates in the thermo-mechanical affected zone(TMAZ) and heat affected zone(HAZ). Under water friction stir welding(UWFSW) is a variant of FSW process which can maintain low heat input as well as constant heat input along the weld line. The heat conduction and dissipation during UWFSW controls the width of TMAZ and HAZ and also improves the joint properties. In this investigation, an attempt has been made to evaluate the mechanical properties and microstructural characteristics of AA2519-T87 aluminium alloy joints made by FSW and UWFSW processes. Finite element analysis has been used to estimate the temperature distribution and width of TMAZ region in both the joints and the results have been compared with experimental results and subsequently correlated with mechanical properties.? 2016 China Ordnance Society. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.