Investigation of heat generation during submerged friction stir welding on 6061-T6 aluminum alloy

Friction stir welding (FSW) is a prominent solid state welding process that is widely used to obtain excellent joints in heat-treatable aluminum alloys. Submerged Friction Stir Welding (SFSW) is a new distinction of the popular friction stir welding. The aim of this paper is to study the heat generation (kJ) based on torque in submerged friction welding process on 6061-T6 aluminum alloy. Torque (M) is one of the most significant factors in friction stir welding process because it is directly related to the co-efficient of friction (mu), power (kW) and heat input of the process. In this work, friction stir welding was carried out on aluminium 6061-T6 alloy under normal and submerged conditions at the different rotational speeds (800 rpm, 1000 rpm and 1200 rpm). The water head is also differed from 10 to 20 mm in case of submerged friction stir welding process. Torque (Nm) was measured during the welding while the coefficient of friction, power (W) and heat generation (kJ) were calculated later. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This paper investigated the heat generation based on torque in submerged friction stir welding of 6061-T6 aluminum alloy at different rotational speeds. Torque plays a significant role in the FSW process due to its direct relationship with the coefficient of friction, power, and heat input. The study provides insights into the effects of submerged FSW on aluminum alloy welding.