Microstructure and mechanical characteristics of AA6061-T6 joints produced by friction stir welding, friction stir vibration welding and tungsten inert gas welding: A comparative study

Abstract

This study compared the microstructure and mechanical characteristics of AA6061-T6 joints produced using friction stir welding (FSW), friction stir vibration welding (FSVW), and tungsten inert gas welding (TIG). FSVW is a modified version of FSW wherein the joining specimens are vibrated normal to the welding line during FSW. The results indicated that the weld region grains for FSVW and FSW were equiaxed and were smaller than the grains for TIG. In addition, the weld region grains for FSVW were finer compared with those for FSW. Results also showed that the strength, hardness, and toughness values of the joints produced by FSVW were higher than those of the other joints produced by FSW and TIG. The vibration during FSW enhanced dynamic recrystallization, which led to the development of finer grains. The weld efficiency of FSVW was approximately 81%, whereas those of FSW and TIG were approximately 74% and 67%, respectively.

Keywords

friction stir welding / vibration / tungsten inert gas welding / mechanical characteristics / microstructure

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