Heat transfer modelling for both workpiece and tool in the friction stir welding process: A coupled model

Abstract

In this paper, a three-dimensional transient-heat transfer model for both the tool and the workpiece in friction stir welding (FSW) has been presented. A moving coordinate is introduced to reduce the difficulty of modelling the heat generation due to the movement of the tool pin. The heat transfer process of the tool and workpiece are coupled at the workpiece/tool interface. The finite difference method was used in solving the energy equations. In order to improve the temperature resolution near the tool in the calculation, a non-uniform grid mesh is generated for the calculation. FSW experiments have been done to validate the modelling results. The calculated results are in good agreement with the experimental ones.