On Friction, Heat Input, and Material Flow Initiation during Friction Stir Welding: Tool and Process Optimization

The Friction Stir Welding (FSW) process depends entirely upon mechanical contact between the tool and the workpiece. As a result of this, all process phenomena and process outcomes such as weld geometry and mechanical properties are governed by FSW’s frictional system. The following work characterizes this system with a focus on process initialization, heat input and material flow. For this purpose, an experimental program for the isolated investigation of the frictional system was carried out. Short-term effects such as contact initiation, run-in behavior and frictional transitions are considered as well as the influences of process parameters and geometry. The system and its behavior are analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively by experiments altering the normal pressure, relative velocity, and tool geometry. The experiments demonstrate a self-similar behavior of the process, including an important wear transition which initiates the material flow, and a subsequent equilibrium of forces, heat balance, and temperatures. The interaction between the tool and the welded material is described, as is the link between the frictional interface and material flow initialization. Based on these findings, recommendations are provided for process optimization and tool design.