Effect of Welding parameters on properties of Friction Stir Welded joints of Aluminum 6106 alloy with and without SiC reinforced particles

Abstract

Aluminum 6106 as a light weight structural material with high specific strength, good damping capability
and machine ability, is one of the most attractive materials in applications of transportation and mobile electronics for
effectively reducing weight. The selected material was Friction Stir Welded by doping Silicon carbide micro powder.
Welding parameters like tool rotational speed of 1450 rpm and varying welding speed of 40 mm/min, 60 mm/min and 80
mm/min with single and double pass welding was selected for the study. A cylindrical left hand threaded tool with 20 mm
tool shoulder diameter and 7 mm pin diameter was employed for welding. After that the effect of reinforced Silicon
carbide particles on the mechanical and metallurgical properties of single and double passes Friction stir Welded joints
of Aluminum 6106 alloy was examined by employing Tensile test, micro hardness test and microstructure tests. It was
examined that highest value of micro hardness at the rate of 122 Hv at stir zone achieved with double pass friction stir
welding by doping SiC particles. Doping of SiC particles makes the FSW joints harder as compared to Friction Stir
welded joints welded without doping SiC particles. Tensile strength increases with increase in welding speed from 40
mm/min to 60 mm/min and with double pass friction stir welding due to homogeneous dispersion of SiC particles.