A Research on Friction Stir Welding using M42 Tool on Aisi 1018 Steel Plates

Abstract

Friction Stir Welding was mainly suitable for aluminum alloys due to low softening temperatures. It is challenging to join the high melting temperature metals due to the lack of tool materials. The main focus of this work is to study the feasibility of joining the similar or dissimilar ferrous material. The molybdenum based high speed steel acts a rotating non consumable tool to weld the two ferrous plates. The friction stir welding was achieved using vertical milling machine. Welding samples were examined by destructive and nondestructive test. The welds were produced by 3 mm plate over a range of spindle speed from 500 to 1000 rpm. The results of FSW, stir zone of hardness varies from 139 to 145 HV executed on AISI 1018 plate steel.