Optimized Parameter for Butt Joint in Friction Stir Welding of Semi-Solid Aluminum Alloy 5083 Using Taguchi Technique

The semi-solid metal (SSM) 5083 aluminum alloy was developed for part manufacturing in the marine shipbuilding industry. This study aimed to optimize the parameters for the friction stir welding process of SSM 5083 aluminum alloy using the Taguchi and analysis of variance (ANOVA) techniques. Our analyses included tensile strength, hardness value, and the microstructure. The results revealed that the optimal parameters obtained for the tensile strength and hardness value in the stir zone (SZ) were A1B1C2 (1000 rpm, 10 mm/min, with a threaded cylindrical tool) with a tensile strength of 235.22 MPa and A2B1C2 (1200 rpm, 10 mm/min, with a threaded cylindrical tool) with a hardness value of 80.64 HV. According to the results obtained by ANOVA, it was found that the welding speed was the most significant process parameter in terms of influencing the tensile strength. Contrarily, no parameter influenced the hardness at a 95% confidence level. The examination using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and an energy dispersive X-ray spectroscope (EDS) revealed an elongated grain structure and a void defect at the pin tip on the advancing side (AS) in the SZ. The particle distribution was uniform with Al2O3 and small porous SiO2 phases. Moreover, the quantities of C, O, Al, F, and Mg decreased.

Effect of ER5356 Welding Wire on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of 5083 Aluminum Alloy GTAW Welded Joint

Automatic gas tungsten arc welding experiments of 5083 aluminum alloy were completed, to analyze the weld microstructure and mechanical properties. The influences of welding current, travel speed, frequency, and arc length on weld forming and mechanical properties were studied. When the welding current was 160 A, the travel speed was 380 mm/min, the frequency was 100 Hz, the arc length was 4 mm, and the maximum tensile strength of the welded joint was 296.9 MPa, which was 86.8% of the base metal’s tensile strength. The fracture elongation was 7.8%. No porosity was formed in the weld, but there were poor fusion problems. ER5356 welding wire can improve the problem of poor weld fusion and accommodate Mg element vaporization losses. When the wire feeding speed was 1200 mm/min, the tensile strength of the welded joint can be improved to 315.2 MPa, which was 92.2% of the base material’s tensile strength, and the fracture elongation was 8.5%. The tensile specimens fractured in the heat-affected zone. The fracture surface was characterized as plastic fracture.