Peak temperature correlation and temperature distribution during joining of AZ80A Mg alloy by FSW - A numerical and experimental investigation

Abstract

A quadratic equation has been developed based on experimental measurements to estimate the peak temperature in the friction stir welding (FSW)process during the joining of AZ80A Mg alloys. The numerical simulation of the FSW process was performed by employing COMSOL software to predict and calculate the distribution of temperature on the various regions of the parent metal and the welded joints. The predicted and finite element analysis (FEA) simulating the results of the distribution of peak temperatures were found to be consistent with the experimental values. In addition to this, a parametric experimental investigation was conducted to identify the most influential process parameter that plays a significant role in the peak temperature distribution during FSW of AZ80A Mg alloy. Linear contributions by the input process parameters of FSW, namely, traversing speed, rotating tool speed and axial force on the peak temperature were observed to be 32.82 %, 41.65 % and 21.76 %, respectively.