EVALUATION OF FATIGUE LIFE OF FRICTION STIR WELDED 7075-T651 ALUMINUM ALLOY JOINTS

Aluminium 7075- T651 alloys are widely used in the production of light weight structures requiring a high strength to weight ratio and high corrosion resistance. The effect of processing parameters on fatigue life of 7075- T651 aluminium joints produced by friction stir welding was investigated in the present study. Welding samples were made by employing rotating tool speed of 770, 900 and 1200 r.p.m, welding speeds of 70, 75 and 80 mm/min. After welding process, mechanical properties of samples were evaluated by means of fatigue testing machine at room temperature. Results were clearly illustrated that as tool speed increases, fatigue life decreases. The highest fatigue life was obtained with 80mm /min welding feed and weld speed of 1200 r.p.m