Mechanical behavior of FSW joint welded by a novel designed stationary shoulder tool

A novel stationary shoulder friction stir welding (SSFSW) tool was developed with provision for automatic removal of plasticized material entering into the shoulder during the welding. Main objective of this tool design was to obtain a symmetrical weld joint with narrow heat affected zone. Mechanical and metallurgical properties of AA2014 aluminium alloy SSFSW joint were compared with the conventional FSW joint. Sound weld joint with enhanced mechanical properties were obtained by the stationary shoulder tool. Optical microscopy, FESEM analysis along with EDS, transmission electron microscopy, XRD analysis, microhardness and toughness test were performed on both types of weld joint. Weld thermal cycle and heat generation were analyzed for stationary shoulder and conventional FSW tool and it was found that the SSFSW tool shoulder generates lesser heat than conventional FSW tool.