Factors Influencing Bonding Mechanics in FSW of AA5754

Abstract

Solid state bonding recurs in several manufacturing processes, as extrusion of hollow profiles and solid welding processes. Among the latter, Friction Stir Welding (FSW) is nowadays of particular industrial interest because of the specific advantages with respect to the classic welding technologies. Proper conditions of pressure, temperature, strain and strain rate are needed in order to get the final effective bonding. In the paper the authors compare different solid state bonding conditions obtained at the varying of the main process parameters in FSW of butt joints of AA5754 aluminum alloys. The experimental results are compared with the numerical ones from a FEM model previously developed by the authors, in order to investigate an effective bonding criterion to be implemented into the FSW numerical model.