Experimental Investigation of Tool Geometry on Mechanical Properties of Friction Stir Welding of AA 2014 Aluminium Alloy

The AA 2014-T6 is widely used in the air craft structure and truck body. The alloy cannot be welded by gas welding techniques due to poor weldability. Welding of this Al alloy by Arc & Resistance welding require special techniques & hence costly. The most suitable method for welding AA 2014-T6 is Friction Stir Welding Process. The effect of Friction Stir Welding process parameters on the mechanical properties of the AA 2014-T6 alloy joints produced by friction stir welding have been discussed in this study. The defect free welds were obtained at a tool rotational speed of 900 rpm, taper cylindrical tool pin profile and traverse speed of 40 mm/min respectively. Mechanical and microstructure analysis has been performed to evaluate the characteristics of friction stir welded AA 2014-T6. From the investigation it is found that the joints fabricated at taper cylindrical tool profile with 3 mm radius of curvature resulted in better mechanical properties compared to straight cylindrical tool profile.