Comparative investigation of friction stir welding and fusion welding of 6061 T6 - 5083 O aluminum alloy based on mechanical properties and microstructure

Abstract

This paper compares, the mechanical properties of welded joints 6061 T6 and 5083 O aluminium alloys obtained using friction stir welding (FSW) at four rotation speeds namely 450,560,710 and 900 rpm and that by conventional fusion welding. FSW welds were carried out on a milling machine. The performance of FSW and Fusion welded joints were identified using tensile test, hardness test and microstructure. The properties of FSW and fusion welded processes were also compared with each other to understand the advantages and disadvantages of these processes for welding applications for Al alloys. It was seen that the tensile strength obtained with FSW was higher as compared to conventional fusion welding process. The width of the heat affected zone of FSW was narrower than Fusion welded joints. The results showed that FSW improved the mechanical properties of welded joints.