Background: AA2519-T87 is a new armour grade aluminium alloy employed in the fabrication of light combat military vehicles. Joining of this material using fusion welding processes, results in the formation of solidification defects like porosity, alloy segregation and hot cracking. In order to overcome the solidification related problems, solid state welding processes such as friction stir welding (FSW) can be used. Though the joining takes place below the melting temperature of the material, the thermal cycle experienced by the thermo-mechanical-affected zone (TMAZ) and heat-affected zone (HAZ) is causing grain coarsening and precipitates dissolution in the age-hardenable aluminium alloys, which deteriorate the joint properties. To get rid of this problem, underwater friction stir welding (UWFSW) process can be employed. The water cooling reduces the heat, and thus, the thermal softening required taking place in TMAZ and HAZ. Therefore, the material flow is entirely different in FSW and UWFSW.
Friction Stir Spot Welding (FSSW) is assumed as an environment-friendly technique, suitable for the spot welding of several materials. Nevertheless, it is consensual that the temperature control during the process is not feasible, since the exact heat generation mechanisms are still unknown. In current work, the heat generation in FSSW of aluminium alloys, was assessed by producing bead-on-plate spot welds using pinless tools. Coated and uncoated tools, with varied diameters and rotational speeds, were tested. Heat treatable (AA2017, AA6082 and AA7075) and non-heat treatable (AA5083) aluminium alloys were welded to assess any possible influence of the base material properties on heat generation. A parametric analysis enabled to establish a relationship between the process parameters and the heat generation. It was found that for rotational speeds higher than 600 rpm, the main process parameter governing the heat generation is the tool diameter. For each tool diameter, a threshold in the welding temperature was identified, which is independent of the rotational speed and of the aluminium alloy being welded. It is demonstrated that, for aluminium alloys, the temperature in FSSW may be controlled using a suitable combination of rotational speed and tool dimensions. The temperature evolution with process parameters was modelled and the model predictions were found to fit satisfactorily the experimental results.
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