Finite Element Analysis and Simulation of Al 7075 Alloy Joints Produced by Friction Stir Welding
The present work is mainly carried out to study the distribution of temperature in friction stir welded plate of Aluminium alloy. A 3-D finite element simulation model was developed to predict temperature distribution and residual stress in Friction Stir Welding (FSW) of Al 7075 alloy. The effect of angular velocity of tool, axial load and welding speed on the heat generated between the tool and plate to be welded was investigated. The simulations obtained were based on three factor five level central composite rotatable design. Second order polynomial equations for predicting the temperature was developed. Residual stresses for friction stir welded plates due to thermal cycles were predicted. The maximum temperature developed in friction stir welded plated increases with the increase of rotational speed of tool and axial load where as it decreases with increase in welding speed.