Influence of material velocity on heat generation during linear welding stage of friction stir welding

Abstract

The heat generated during friction stir welding process depends on plastic deformation of the material and friction between the tool and the material. In this work, heat generation is analysed with respect to the material velocity around the tool in Al alloy Al2024-T351 plate. The slip rate of the tool relative to the workpiece material is related to the frictional heat generated. The material velocity, on the other hand, is related to the heat generated by plastic deformation. During the welding process, the slippage is the most pronounced on the front part of the tool shoulder. Also, it is higher on the retreating side than on the advancing side. Slip rate in the zone around the tool pin has very low values, almost negligible. In this zone, the heat generation from friction is very low, because the material is in paste-like state and subjected to intensive plastic deformation. The material flow velocity around the pin is higher in the zone around the root of the pin. In the radial direction, this quantity increases from the pin to the periphery of the tool shoulder.