WEAR AND CORROSION BEHAVIOUR OF FRICTION STIR WELDED ALUMINIUM ALLOYS- AN OVERVIEW

The need to enhance the integrity and durability of welds to minimize cost and material wastage has led to the demand for more understanding of weld degradation processes, such as wear due to mechanical loading and corrosion when the materials are operated under corrosive conditions. Corrosion and wear in friction stir welding of some aluminum alloys have been investigated separately, understanding how friction stir welds perform under wear and corrosion conditions are significant, so that the durability and lifetime of welds can be predicted and extended. This paper reviewed available literature concerning the development in tribological and corrosion behavior of friction stir welds of both similar and dissimilar aluminum alloys. The review also highlighted various forms of wear and corrosion and factors affecting their mechanism in friction stir welds of aluminum alloys. The review generally showed that corrosion and wear are significantly influenced by the processing parameters employed for the welding and the resulting microstructure and mechanical properties of the welds. The need for further studies on the synergistic or antagonistic effects of the combination of wear and corrosion on friction stir welding of aluminum alloys is also highlighted.