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Abstract: Striving for cleaner production is a sought-after manufacturing philosophy. Friction stir welding (FSW) is a joining
technique with par excellence and far less invasive to the environment than even best conventional welding processes. It is energy
efficient and free from consumables, affluent and radiations. It is, thus, accepted as a clean welding process that can produce
acceptable quality joints. It suffers from some major challenges of defects of its own kind that subject the process open to
improvements so as to prove itself a reliable production process. This study presents a holistic characterization of defects commonly
found in FSW joints. The finding of the present study reveals that most defects are caused by inadequate heat generation, improper
material movement around the pin and inadequate material consolidation behind the pin. The amount of heat generation and
material stirring depends on several FSW parameters which may lead to the defect formation, if not selected properly. The results
reported in this work are derived from sound literature support and experimentation. Prescriptions are made in the form of
characteristics of defects such as likelihood of their location, main responsible parameters along with the recommendations for
minimizing them.
Key words: clean welding process; friction stir welding; defect; process parameter
Corresponding author: Arshad Noor SIDDIQUEE; Tel: +91-11-26985176; Fax: +91-11-26981261; E-mail: arshadnsiddiqui@gmail.com
DOI: 10.1016/S1003-6326(17)60171-7
1508 Noor Zaman KHAN, et al/Trans. Nonferrous Met. Soc. China 27(2017) 1507−1516
porosity, undesirable metallurgical changes and micro- dissimilar alloys mainly due to difference in their
structural discontinuities. Such defects do not exist in softening temperature, metallurgy, chemistry, thermal
FSW which in turn produces joints free from these fusion conductivity and flow stress which hinders the material
related defects. However, FSW also poses concerns of movement and improper heat distribution. Weld defects
some characteristic defects that are different from fusion lead to failures and question the suitability of the FSW as
welding processes and significantly affect the quality of a sound, reliable and dependable alternative. Producing
the welded joint. defect-free joint continues to remain one of the major
Defect formation is more prominent in FSW of challenges for FSW. Thus, for the FSW as a clean
Noor Zaman KHAN, et al/Trans. Nonferrous Met. Soc. China 27(2017) 1507−1516 1509
welding process, it is essential to eliminate defects, and inadequate material consolidation behind the pin. The
equally importantly, is a clear understanding of the amount of heat generation and material stirring depend
occurrence of defects. on several parameters such as tool design, tool rotation
FSW first came into being in 1991 when THOMAS and traverse speed, depth of tool plunge, tool tilt angle,
et al [1] invented a new family of solid-state joining tool pin offset and workpiece position, and these factors
techniques to weld aluminium sheets. The FSW process may, consequently, lead to the defect formation, if not
uses a combination of frictional heating coupled with selected properly. Heat generation is primarily affected
heat of plastic deformation affected by a rotating by tool rotational and traverse speed. Tool rotation
cylindrical shouldered pin [1]. FSW has now established balances the material movement from advancing side
itself to be a remarkable solid state welding technique to (AS) to retreating side (RS). It also affects the heat
effectively join similar and dissimilar aluminum generation during welding that has significant effects on
alloys [2]. In FSW, a rotating non-consumable tool the mechanical properties and the quality of welded
consisting of a probe (also known as pin) and shoulder joints. The generated heat increases by increasing the
plunges into the joint line of the base material, tool rotational speed and vice versa. Tool traverse speed
generating heat through both friction and plastic affects the heat input per unit time and the material
deformation, and traverses along the joint line to perform consolidation behind the tool pin. Higher tool traverse
welding, as shown in Fig. 3. speed delivers lower heat input per unit time, reducing
welding temperature and consequently resulting in
higher flow stress. High flows stress is one of the main
causes of deficient material movement which hampers
material consolidation. Similarly, tool design, depth of
tool plunge, tool tilt angle, tool pin offset etc. also play
vital role during plastic deformation at the time of
stirring and consequently their values should be chosen
carefully to obtain desired results.
Some researchers investigated the effect of FSW
parameters on defect formation. DEHGHANI et al [6]
investigated the effects of FSW parameters on the
formation of intermetallic compounds (IMCs) and tunnel
formation during dissimilar joining of Al5186 and mild
steel. KHODIR and SHIBAYANAGI [7] studied the
Fig. 3 Schematic diagram of friction stir welding process effect of FSW parameters on the formation of kissing
bond (KB) during dissimilar joining of aluminium alloys
Frictional heat generated by tool rotation softens the and found that an increase in traverse speed results in the
material under the shoulder and the advancement of the formation of KB. NAKATA et al [8] studied the effect of
tool severely plastically deforms the material, pushing it FSW parameters on defect formation and reported that
simultaneously from front to the back and forging it to defects were formed at high traverse speeds coupled with
complete the joint. FSW has emerged as one of the most slow tool rotation and inadequate tool plunge depth.
significant achievements in the field of joining of KADLEC et al [9] investigated the effect of size of KB
aluminum alloys [3]. The use of FSW is extended for defect on fatigue strength of AA7475 alloy. They found
welding high melting temperature materials such as that a KB size of 315 µm is insignificant to hamper
steel [4]. FSW technique has already been applied to fatigue and static behavior.
successfully joining train panels, air frames, cryogenic The foregoing literature reveals that various defects
tanks, marine structures, and automotives. are formed during FSW whereas the researchers have
In recent years, many industrial sectors such as focused on specific flaws in part meal. It is imperative
marine, automobile and aerospace have been extensively that a holistic understanding of various FSW defects is
using FSW with a persistent interest in the understanding needed for the inclusive development of FSW to emerge
of factors that result in defect formation during FSW [5]. as a proven and reliable clean joining process. Keeping
Flaws such as tunneling, kissing-bonds (KB), joint line this important aspect in view, in the present work, a
remnant (JLR), incomplete root penetration, voids and detailed analysis was performed on most prevalent FSW
hooking defects in FSW are quite different from defects defects (mentioned above), and meticulous efforts were
of conventional fusion welding. These defects are made to characterize these defects along with
generally caused by inadequate heat generation, recommendations to minimize their occurrence. The
improper material movement around the pin and findings are substantiated by performing some
1510 Noor Zaman KHAN, et al/Trans. Nonferrous Met. Soc. China 27(2017) 1507−1516
experiments alongside intensive literature.
2 Formation of defects
2.5 Void
Voids are generally found on the AS of the welded
joint and they may or may not break thoroughly to the
Fig. 6 Macrostructure of JLR defect [25] surface of the weld as shown in Fig. 8 [27]. Too low
rotational speed in relation to the speed of welding may
improper tool pin offset, local variations in the plate result in the formation of void. The presence of void
thickness, uneven face of abutting plates and strongly reduces the ductility and slightly reduces the
inappropriate tool design. It may be resulted from too strength [33]. PARK et al [34] observed groove-type
short pin length compared with the plate thickness, low defect on AS of the weld at lower rotational speed. They
heat input or incorrect tool orientation [32]. also reported that the chance of void formation increases
Sometimes plunge depth may be the cause of by increasing welding speed at a constant rotation speed
incomplete root penetration. Plunge depth plays an of 500 r/min and by decreasing rotational speed from 500
important role in the generation of heat during welding to 250 r/min. LIU and ZHANG [35] reported that the
and forging action of the tool which, consequently, degradation of mechanical properties of the joints is
affects the consolidation of the material to form observed due to the formation of continuous grove defect
joint [20]. Accordingly, lower plunge depth causes and this may be attributed to inappropriate filling of
inadequate material flow and lack of bonding between plasticized material from RS to AS near the back surface
the base materials which, in turn, results in incomplete of tool pin. Lower rotational speed and higher welding
root penetration, leading to reduced joint strength. An speed result in inappropriate generation of heat. The
excessively high plunge depth, however, causes over proper softening of material due to lower heat input leads
heating which leads to the generation of inter-metallic to the formation of cracks (voids) [36]. DAWOOD
compound which may cause reduction in strength. So, et al [37] found that higher heat input also resulted in the
optimal value of plunge depth is required for a formation of voids due to increased fluidity of metal and
defect-free FSW joint. Incomplete root penetration of FS turbulent flow in welded zone.
welded joints of AA7475 as shown in Fig. 7 was For a given tool design, insufficient workpiece
observed after welding was performed as a part of the clamping (too large joint gap), insufficient forging
present study at 710 r/min and 50 mm/min. pressure and too high welding speed [27] may lead to the
Also, incomplete root penetration occurs when the formation of void. The stirred material cools before
FSW pin is too distant from the support anvil. Thus, an completely filling the region directly behind the tool,
undeformed region exists between the bottom of the tool consequently, creating the void. This happens when the
pin and the bottom surface of the plate as shown in Fig. 7. tool design is improper or too fast travel speed is
Inappropriate material stirring throughout the fayin g used. Adequate heat generation is required to allow the
Fig. 7 Microstructures showing incomplete root penetration in friction stir weld along with high magnification
Noor Zaman KHAN, et al/Trans. Nonferrous Met. Soc. China 27(2017) 1507−1516 1513
from AS to RS. This difference may be due to the tool
geometry and material flow because AS experiences
higher strain and temperature by undergoing severe
plastic deformation compared to the RS [42]. The
presence of hooking defect results in the low mechanical
strength of dissimilar FS welded joints [43].
Fig. 8 Macrograph showing void imperfection in friction stir
weld [27]
heat generation.
3 Conclusions 5) Incomplete root penetration forms at the bottom
of the stir zone due to local variations in the plate
1) The FSW is regarded as a clean fabrication thickness, improper tool design and inappropriate plunge
technology. Since it is new, it has to go a long way to depth. It may be eliminated by adequate plunging and
establish itself as an unquestionable process of high thorough mixing during welding throughout the weld
degree of reliability in terms of joint quality. Although, it root, allowing the tool pin to reach the bottom of the base
has been adequately accepted by the industry and has material.
been aptly commercialized, yet sporadic failure of the 6) Voids generally form on the surface or just
FSW joint is the cause of great concern. This study beneath the surface of the weld due to insufficient
presents a comprehensive characterization of defect forging pressure or too high welding speed. Improper
formation in FSW which occurs due to inappropriate consolidation of the plastically deformed material behind
combinations of welding parameters (mainly rotational the tool leads to the void formation.
speed, welding speed and plunge depth) and welding 7) Hooking defect is generally found in lap joints of
conditions. Improper selection of welding parameters FSW. It forms on both sides of the joint line, but the
leads to insufficient or excessive heat input, direction of material hooking on the AS and RS is
inappropriate material movement and consolidation that different and determined by the pin length and direction
deteriorate the mechanical properties of the joints. of the tool’s rotational movement.
2) Tunneling defect generally appears on the AS
between TMAZ and the weld nugget. It is mainly caused Acknowledgments
by low heat input that has resulted from too high welding The authors thank the University Grants
speed. Low heat input, in turn, leads to higher flow stress Commission (UGC) for its financial assistance (vide
causing deficient material movement which hampers sanction order No. F.3-40/2012(SAP-II)) under its SAP
material consolidation behind the tool pin. (DRS-I) sanctioned to the Department of Mechanical
3) Kissing bond is an extremely thin bond line Engineering for the project entitled Friction Stir Welding
visible in the stir zone at a high magnification. It forms and Ultrasonic Machining. This project was also
due inadequate pressure and insufficient stirring of the financially supported by the King Saud University, Vice
material and the chance of its occurrence increases when Deanship of Research Chairs.
the oxide layer from the faying surface is not effectively
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搅拌摩擦焊清洁制造工艺过程中的缺陷分析
Noor Zaman KHAN1, Zahid A. KHAN1, Arshad Noor SIDDIQUEE1,
Abdulrahman M. AL-AHMARI2, Mustufa H. ABIDI2
1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Jamia Millia Islamia (A Central University), New Delhi, PIN-110025, India;
2. Princess Fatima Alnijris Research Chair for Advanced Manufacturing Technology,
Advanced Manufacturing Institute, King Saud University, Riyadh-11421, Saudi Arabia
摘 要:清洁生产是制造工艺过程中追求的目标。搅拌摩擦焊是一种比目前最好的传统焊接工艺更好、对环境损
害更低的连接技术。搅拌摩擦焊工艺的能量效率高、无耗材、无损耗、无辐射。因此,它是一种能获得优质焊接
接头的清洁焊接工艺。但它在焊接过程中会产生缺陷,为使其成为一种可靠的生产工艺,需要对其进行进一步优
化。本文作者对搅拌摩擦焊接头的缺陷进行表征。结果表明,缺陷的产生是由于焊件过程的产生的热量不够、搅
拌针附近的物质移动不充分、搅拌针后部的材料致密化不够。焊接过程中产生的热量和物料的搅拌程度取决于搅
拌摩擦焊的焊接参数。焊接参数选择不当,可导致缺陷的产生。本文所得结果来源于文献和实验。根据各种缺陷
的特征,如其可能产生的位置、减少缺陷产生的主要参数等,提出了减少缺陷产生的一些措施。
关键词:清洁焊件工艺;搅拌摩擦焊;工艺参数
(Edited by Wei-ping CHEN)