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Experimental investigation on joining process of aluminium alloy 6063-T6 pipes using hybrid friction stir welding

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Abstract

This study has attempted to employ a novel hybrid welding technique to overcome root defects during the joining of aluminium pipes using friction stir welding (FSW) process. Hybrid weld technique is accomplished by combining FSW process along with tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding process to complete the weldment. Aluminium 6063-T6 pipes, with outer diameter 500 mm and 5 mm thickness, are first welded on the root side using TIG welding to a calculated depth of 1 mm, which is followed by FSW on the face side to the remaining depth of 4 mm. Radiography tests are carried out to identify the presence of root defects. Hybrid welded pipes are compared with pure friction stir welded pipes for mechanical properties. Taper cylindrical tool at a rotational speed of 2000 rpm and welding speed of 0.6 rpm exhibited a superior weld strength of 176 MPa, which is 73% of base metal strength and 87.2% of pure friction stir welded pipes. Microstructural attributes have also been discussed.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Kongu Engineering College for extending laboratory facilities for the successful completion of this study.

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kongu Engineering College, Erode, India

    S. M. Senthil

  2. Micromachining Research Centre (MMRC), Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sree Vidyanikethan Engineering College, Tirupati, India

    S. Ragu Nathan

  3. Department of Mechatronics Engineering, Kongu Engineering College, Erode, India

    R. Parameshwaran

Authors
  1. S. M. Senthil
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  2. S. Ragu Nathan
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  3. R. Parameshwaran
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Correspondence to S. M. Senthil.

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Technical Editor: Monica Carvalho.

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Senthil, S.M., Nathan, S.R. & Parameshwaran, R. Experimental investigation on joining process of aluminium alloy 6063-T6 pipes using hybrid friction stir welding. J Braz. Soc. Mech. Sci. Eng. 43, 331 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40430-021-03054-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40430-021-03054-w

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