Experimental comparison of friction stir welding effects on mechanical properties of Al 6351 and Al 6061 weldments

Friction-stir welding can be effectively used to weld aluminum materials with less defects. In this paper, in order to experimentally compare the effects of process parameters of friction-stir welding, different combinations of AL alloys (AL 6351 and AL 6061) were welded. Process parameters that were considered in this work were rotating speed, welding speed and plunge depth. Their effects over the mechanical properties of the weldments were compared in order to bring the best out of them. Weldments considered in this work has three different combinations. The first set of combination consists of AL 6351 and AL 6351. The second set of combination consists of AL 6061 and AL 6061 and the third and final set of combination consists of AL 6351 and AL 6061. The tensile strength for all these three set of combinations were tested using micro-tensile testing machine and the wear test for the parent materials and the three combinations were conducted using Pin-on-disc apparatus. Further, the hardness tests were also done using Rockwell hardness tester for all the three set of combinations along with the parent material. The results that were obtained were compared with each other and the best combination was found which in turn may be used by industries for the required application which in turn enhances and ascertains the quality of products.