Friction Stir Welds (FSW) of Aerospace Aluminium AA6056-T4

Friction stir welds (FSW), a novel welding technique for all metal alloys and polymers, has shown better mechanical properties than older welding and joining technologies, especially for integral airframe aluminium structure to reduce weight burden and failure. This parametric study is important for simulations and automatic programming for manufacturing, and accurate prediction of the quality and mechanical properties of the welds. The Scroll Shoulder Triflat FSW tool has a tool pin with 3 equidistant flats, which distributes plastic flow pressures and frictional heat generated, such that changes in weld parameters can produce linear and measurable changes in microstructures of the weld zones and mechanical properties. This is the first study to match this linear relationship between Friction Stir Welded aeronautical alloy AA6056-T4 mechanical properties with the rotational speed and advance per revolution.