Dimensionless correlation to estimate peak temperature during friction stir welding

Abstract

A dimensionless correlation has been developed based on Buckingham's π-theorem to estimate the peak temperature during friction stir welding (FSW). A relationship is proposed between dimensionless peak temperature and dimensionless heat input. Apart from the estimation of peak temperature, it can also be used for the selection of welding conditions to prevent melting of the workpiece during FSW. The correlation includes thermal properties of the material and the tool, the area of the tool shoulder and the rotational and translation speeds of the tool. The peak temperatures reported in the literature during FSW of various materials and welding conditions were found to be in fair agreement with the proposed correlation.