Characteristics and Tensile-Shear Properties of Refill FSSW Joint Under Different Plunge Depths in 2060 Aluminum Alloy

Abstract

Refill friction stir spot welding (refill FSSW) was used to weld 3.2-mm-thick 2060 aluminum alloy. Joint formation, defect characteristics and tensile-shear property were analyzed. Results show that keyhole can be completely eliminated under different plunge depths. However, defects such as void, unconnected welding, hook can be observed under the plunge depths of 3.4-4 mm. The size of the overall void initially increased and then decreased with the increase of the plunge depth, while the void was the smallest under the plunge depth of 3.4 mm. The unconnected defect at the lap interface gradually shrank a welding line from obvious crack. Different hook morphologies were observed under different plunge depths. The tensile-shear load of joint increased with the increase of the plunge depth and was up to the largest under the plunge depth of 4 mm. All the tensile-shear specimens fractured along the lap interface. Compared with the void, the unconnected defect had a greater influence on the tensile-shear property.

Keywords

• refill friction stir spot welding
• aluminum alloy
• defect characteristics
• tensile-shear properties