Experimental Investigation And Numerical Modelling Of Friction Stir Welding In Aluminium Alloy AA- 8011

Abstract

This research aims to experimentally explore the thermal histories and temperature distributions in a workpiece during a friction stir welding (FSW) process involving the butt joining of aluminium AA 8011. K- Type thermocouples are used to measure the temperature histories during FSW at different locations on the workpiece in the welding direction. Successful welding processes are achieved by appropriately controlling the maximum temperatures during the welding process. Regression analyses by the least squares method are used to predict the temperatures at the joint line. A second-order polynomial curve is found to best fit the experimental temperature values in the width direction of the workpiece. A three-dimensional thermal model for Friction Stir Welding (FSW) is presented. The simulation model is tested with existing experimental results of aluminium alloys 8011.The results of the simulation are in good agreement with that of experimental results.