Temperature Distribution in Friction Stir Welding of Aluminium Alloy

As far as research in the area of friction stir welding is concerned, there are two types of model which are physical model and analytical model. Both the models have their own advantages and limitations and they are selected as per the availability and objectives of the research. Apart from physical model based on the experimental work, there is scope to work on analytical model of friction stir welding process before going for experimental work. The analytical model was selected for the present research in order to investigate the effect of parameters on temperature distribution in the weld zone during friction stir welding through simulation by using HyperWorks considering tool as steady state heat source. In order to achieve objectives of the present work, different simulation models of friction stir welding of butt joint of aluminium alloy were developed. The simulation for prediction of temperature distribution along the weldline was carried out and it was validated with the previous published work. The simulation results were in good agreement with experimental values near the weld line.