Improving the Mechanical properties of 6061 and 5083 welded joint using Friction stir lap welding

Joining of metal is very important operation in every manufacturing activity. Conventional welding of Al alloys by Tungsten inert gas welding, Metal inert gas welding and Resistance spot welding was reported to produce poor quality weld joints, as the inherent characteristics of the base metal affected the weld properties. Friction stir welding, identified as one of the best alternative is employed to join Al 5083 and Al 6061 in this study. Aluminum alloys, Al 5083 and Al 6061 are welded in lap joint configuration, with SiC nano particles interlayer. The process parameters such as welding speed tool, rotational speed and volume percentage of Nano-powder were optimized by utilizing Response surface methodology, RSM. The joints welded without the SiC nano particle interlayer were observed to possess low mechanical strength at the best welding conditions determined by the RSM. (paper)