Author : Faizal P M and Justin Diraviam

In Friction Stir Welding frictional heat is generated by means of a non consumable rotating tool that forms plastic deformation at welding location. It leads to high joint strength, free from melt related defects, low distortion. Aluminum alloys are important for the fabrication of components and structures which require high strength, low weight. Here aluminum alloy 6061 is selected for the present study. Butt joints were made with friction stir welding; the tool materials used were SS 304, SS 316 and MS. Tensile strength of the produced joints were tested and microstructures of weld zone of Friction stir welds were analyzed using scanning electron microscope. The results obtained revealed that the tool material SS316 gives high hardness, impact value and tensile strength when compared to SS304 and MS.

Keywords: Friction Stir Welding, microstructure, tensile strength, scanning electron microscope, impact test

Article published in International Journal of Current  Engineering  and Technology, Vol.4,No.3 (June- 2014)