Modeling and Experimental Investigation of the Impact of the Hemispherical Tool on Heat Generation and Tensile Properties of Dissimilar Friction Stir Welded AA5083 and AA7075 Al Alloys

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of a hemispherical friction stir welding (FSW) tool on the heat generation and mechanical properties of dissimilar butt welded AA5083 and AA7075 alloys. FSW was performed on the dissimilar aluminum alloys AA5083-H111 and AA7075-T6 using welding speeds of 25, 50, and 75 mm/min. The tool rotation rate was kept constant at 500 rpm. An analytical model was developed to calculate heat generation and temperature distribution during the FSW process utilizing a hemispherical tool. The experimental results were compared to the calculated data. The latter confirms the accuracy of the analytical model, demonstrating a high degree of agreement. Sound FSW dissimilar joints were achieved at welding speeds of 50 and 25 mm/min. Meanwhile, joints created at a welding speed of 75 mm/min exhibited a tunnel-like defect, which can be attributed to the minimal heat generated at this particular welding speed. At a lower welding speed of 25 mm/min, a higher tensile strength of the dissimilar FSWed joints AA5083 and AA7075 was achieved with a joint efficiency of over 97%.