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Metallographic structure, mechanical properties, and process parameter optimization of 5A06 joints formed by ultrasonic-assisted refill friction stir spot welding

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Abstract

Novel hybrid refill friction stir spot welding (RFSSW) assisted with ultrasonic oscillation was introduced to 5A06 aluminum alloy joints. The metallographic structure and mechanical properties of 5A06 aluminum alloy RFSSW joints formed without ultrasonic assistance and with lateral and longitudinal ultrasonic assistance were compared, and the ultrasonic-assisted RFSSW process parameters were optimized. The results show that compared with lateral ultrasonic oscillation, longitudinal ultrasonic oscillation strengthens the horizontal bonding ligament in the joint and has a stronger effect on the joint’s shear strength. By contrast, lateral ultrasonic oscillation strengthens the vertical bonding ligament and is more effective in increasing the joint’s tensile strength. The maximum shear strength of ultrasonic-assisted RFSSW 5A06 aluminum alloy joints is as high as 8761 N, and the maximum tensile strength is 3679 N when the joints are formed at a tool rotating speed of 2000 r/min, a welding time of 3.5 s, a penetration depth of 0.2 mm, and an axial pressure of 11 kN.

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Acknowledgments

This work was financially supported by Hunan Science and Technology Research Projects (Nos. 2016GK2021 and 2016TP1023) and Hunan Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 2016JJ4082). The authors also would like to thank Dr. Axel Meyer from Application and Technology Centre for Robotic Friction Welding who provided the assistance with the development of the spot welding device.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Grids Operation and Control on Multi-Power Sources Area, Shaoyang University, Shaoyang, 422000, China

    Xin-bo Liu & Xiong-er Qiu

  2. Shanghai Aerospace Equipment Manufacturer, Shanghai, 200245, China

    Xin-bo Liu, Feng-bin Qiao & Li-jie Guo

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  1. Xin-bo Liu
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  2. Feng-bin Qiao
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  3. Li-jie Guo
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  4. Xiong-er Qiu
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Correspondence to Xin-bo Liu.

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Liu, Xb., Qiao, Fb., Guo, Lj. et al. Metallographic structure, mechanical properties, and process parameter optimization of 5A06 joints formed by ultrasonic-assisted refill friction stir spot welding. Int J Miner Metall Mater 24, 164–170 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-017-1391-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-017-1391-8

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