EXPERIMENTAL COMPARISON OF MIG AND FRICTION STIR WELDING PROCESSES FOR EN AW-6061-T6 (Al Mg-1 Si Cu) ALUMINIUM ALLOY

Külekci M. K., Kaluç E., Şık A., Basturk O.

ARABIAN JOURNAL FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, vol.35, pp.321-330, 2010 (SCI-Expanded) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 35
  • Publication Date: 2010
  • Journal Name: ARABIAN JOURNAL FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED)
  • Page Numbers: pp.321-330
  • Keywords: friction stir welding, friction welding, joining, new welding technologies, mechanical properties, WELDED-JOINTS, FATIGUE, TOOL
  • Gazi University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

In this study, the mechanical properties of welded joints of EN AW-6061-T6 aluminium alloy obtained with friction stir welding (FSW) and conventional metal inert gas welding (MIG) are studied. FSW welds were carried out on a semi-automatic milling machine. The performance of FSW and MIG welded joints were identified using tensile, fatigue, hardness, and impact tests. The joints obtained with FSW and MIG processes were also assessed for distortion that accompanied the welding processes. Taking into consideration the process conditions and requirements, FSW and MIG processes were also compared with each other to understand the advantages and disadvantages of the processes for welding applications of studied Al alloy. Better tensile, fatigue, and impact strength were obtained with FSW welded joints. The width of the heat affected zone of FSW was narrower than MIG welded joints. The results show that FSW improves the mechanical properties of welded joints.