Statistical analysis of friction stir weld data

Abstract

This chapter discusses the results of statistical analysis conducted on the weld data obtained from friction stir welding of aluminium and copper. The welds were produced by varying the process parameters; the rotational speed was varied between 600 and 1200 rpm and the welding speed varied between 50 and 300 mm/min. The Statistica (version 9.0) statistical analysis software package was used to generate the scatter and surface plots relative to the experimental results obtained from the tensile testing and the FSW data. Regression analysis was also done on the weld data. It was found that the downward vertical force during the welding process has a significant effect on the Ultimate Tensile Strength of the weld and that strong relationships exist between the heat input into the welds and the measured electrical resistivities of the welds. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.