A Numerical and Experimental Investigation into the Effect of Welding Parameters on Thermal History in Friction Stir Welded Copper Sheets

Abstract

One of the important issues in the process of Friction Stir Welding (FSW) is to determine the thermal history and its distribution in the work piece during the welding process. Several analytical and empirical relations have been suggested to estimate the amount of heat transferred to the work piece; one of the relations is Frigaad relation. In the present study, thermal history was determined for joined parts of copper sheets under various welding conditions by Frigaad relation and numerical method. Furthermore, results were compared with the experimental results which had a good agreement with numerical results. In addition, the thermal field was also determined for any welding conditions and at any given moment. By conducting this study, it is evident that the traverse velocity change mainly affects the amount oftransferred heat and change in rotational speed dramatically changes the temperature of the process.

Keywords

• Friction stir welding
• Finite element
• Copper
• Thermal history
• Welding parameters