Abstract:In this research, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), as a high-density thermoplastic sheet, and Aluminum A5052, as a metal with seven distinct surface roughnesses, were joined by friction spot welding (FSW). The effect of A5052's various surface states on the welding joining mechanism and mechanical properties were investigated. Friction spot welding was successfully applied for the dissimilar joining of PET thermoplastics and aluminum alloy A5052. During FSW, the PET near the joining interface softened, partially melted and adhered to the A5052 joining surface. The melted PET evaporated to form bubbles near the joining interface and cooled, forming hollows. The bubbles have two opposite effects: its presence at the joining interface prevent PET from contacting with A5052, while bubbles or hollows are crack origins that induce crack paths which degrade the joining strength. On the other hand, the bubbles' flow pushed the softened PET into irregularities on the roughened surface to form mechanical interlocking, which significantly improved the strength. The tensile-shear failure load for an as-received surface (0.31 µm R a ) specimen was about 0.4-0.8 kN while that for the treated surface (>0.31 µm R a ) specimen was about 4.8-5.2 kN.
Dissimilar materials joining between AZ31 magnesium alloy and SPHC mild steel with Al-Mg powder additives were successfully produced by friction stir welding process. Al-Mg powder additives were set in a gap between AZ31 and SPHC specimen's butt prior to welding. The experiments were performed for different weight percentages of Al-Mg powder additives at welding speeds of 25 mm/min, 50 mm/min and 100 mm/min with a constant tool rotational speed of 500 rpm. The effect of powder additives and welding speed on tensile strength, microhardness, characterization across welding interface and fracture morphology were investigated. Tensile test results showed significant enhancement of tensile strength of 150 MPa for 10% Al and Mg (balance) powder additives welded joint as compared to the tensile strength of 125 MPa obtained for welded joint without powder additives. The loss of aluminium in the alloy is compensated by Al-Mg powder addition during welding under a suitable heat input condition identified by varying welding speeds. Microstructural analysis revealed that the Al-Mg powder was well mixed and dispersed at the interface of the joint at a welding speed of 50 mm/min. Intermetallic compound detected in the welding interface contributed to the welding strength.
Friction stir welding between AA7075‐T6 aluminum alloy and 304 L stainless steel sheet metal was performed with the addition of Al−Ni powder between the joining interfaces to increase the joining performance. The welding tool was rotated at 200 min−1 to 800 min−1 with the constant traverse speed of 25 mm/min. The resulting joint interfaces were analyzed using a field emission‐scanning electron microscope and energy‐dispersive x‐ray spectroscopy analysis. The tensile strength was greater for the Al−Ni powder added specimens at the lower tool rotational speeds. The tensile strength of 360 MPa was obtained for the ‘with‐powder’ specimen as compared to 220 MPa for the ‘without‐powder’ specimen at the 200 min−1 tool speed. Electron microscope images of the stir zone showed a significant mixing of the Al−Ni powder with the base materials, increased contact at the interface, which resulted in increased joining strength at the lower tool rotational speeds. However, based on the images, intermetallic compound that may contribute to the joining strength in the vicinity of the interfacial region was not detected.
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