Effect of Material Location and Tool Rotational Speed on the Mechanical Properties of Dissimilar Friction Stir Welded Aluminum Alloys (5083-H321to 6061-T6)

The use of fusion welding process for 5083-H321 and 6061-T6 alloys is not preferred because of the heat generated from the thermal cycle of the welding which can affect the heat treatments of base metals. In this way, solid state nature of friction stir welding (FSW) process is by and large utilized as a part of request to join these dissimilar alloys. Friction stir welding (FSW) is carried out at different rotational speeds of 560 rpm, 900 rpm, and 1800 rpm with H13 tool steel at a constant welding speed of 40 mm/min, tilt angle of 20 and axial force of 5 KN. This experimental study presents the effect of variable rotational speeds on microstructure, hardness, Impact energy, and tensile properties of 5083-H321 and 6061-T6 alloys joints produced by FSW. Experimental results have shown that defect free friction stir welded joints of good quality successfully produced from 5 mm thick sections of these alloys. It is observed that the joint fabricated using H13 tool material at a rotational speed of 900 rpm obtained higher mechanical properties as compared to those of 560 rpm, and 1800 rpm when AA5083 located at advancing side.