Comparison of microstructure and mechanical properties of conventional and refilled friction stir spot welds in AA 6061-T6 using filler plate

Friction stir spot welding with refilling by friction forming process (FSSW-FFP) was successfully modified using filler plate. Both of this new refilling technique and conventional friction stir spot welding (FSSW) process were used to weld Al 6061-T6 lap shear specimens and the results were compared. Effects of tool rotational speeds on mechanical and metallurgical properties in both the cases were studied. Static shear strength of refilled weld samples was found to be better than those welded by conventional FSSW process at all tool rotational speeds. This is explained in terms of effective increase in cross-sectional area of weld nugget due to addition of more material from filler plate, thereby eliminating the probe hole. Failure mechanisms were discussed and fracture surfaces were analyzed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The hardness profile of the welds exhibited a W-shaped appearance in both the processes and the minimum hardness was measured in the HAZ.