Establishing optimal friction stir welding parameters for AA2219-T87 Al-alloy using comprehensive RSM and GA approach

AA2219-T87 aluminium alloy has been used in aerospace applications because of its high strength, low density and resistance to corrosion. The copper in the alloy improves the hardness and lowers melting point, which makes two sections easily joined with a process called friction stir welding of aluminium alloy. In the present work, heat-treated AA2219 alloy was butt welded by solid-state friction stir welding process. This work aims to develop a suitable combination of welding parameters for producing defect-free weld joints of AA2219 alloy to improve tensile and corrosion properties. The most influencing control parameter for optimising the friction stir welding responses was determined using sophisticated design of experiments (DOE) techniques. Ultimate tensile strength and corrosion resistance are observed as responses in this study. To achieve the desired weld responses, a three-factor, three-level Box-behneken design was used. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was carried out to examine the interaction effect and significant welding parameter to set the optimal level of welding conditions. Multi-response regression equations have been developed using response surface methodology (RSM) to estimate the output characteristics of weld. The Genetic algorithm (GA) was used to optimise the predicted mathematical model under given optimization constraints. The results shown that the optimum responses are obtained at input factors rotational speed 300 rpm, welding speed 80 mm/min, and axial force of 10kN.

An Investigation of Microstructural Evolution, Tensile Properties and Work-Hardening Behavior of Nanosized TiB2/Al-Cu-Mn Composites

The microstructure evolution, tensile properties and work-hardening behavior of AA2219 alloy reinforced by in situ nanosized TiB2 particles were studied in this paper. The observation indicated an impeded recrystallization of the matrix alloy by nanosized TiB2 particles, and the hybrids of nanosized TiB2 particles and Al2Cu phases located at the grain boundary hindered the grain growth. Meanwhile, a large amount fiber textures of <111>//RD (Rolling direction), <110>//RD, <100>//RD <111>//ND (Normal direction), <110>//ND and <100>//ND were detected in nanosized TiB2/AA2219 composite. Tensile test results exhibited a combination of good strength and ductility of the present composite whose yield strength and tensile strength were 11.4% and 5.8% higher than those of the alloy, while its fracture strain increased slightly. Meanwhile, the correlation between this modified microstructure of nanosized TiB2 particles and comprehensive mechanical properties was established. This study provides a new insight into the fabrication and strengthening behaviors of Al matrix composites reinforced by in situ nanoparticles.