Investigation of effect of tool geometry on formation of common defects, and mechanical properties of 5456 Aluminum alloy, in Friction Stir Lap Welded process

Friction stir welding is suitable for joining series 5000 alloys because no fusion welding problems arise for the alloys in this process. In this project, the effect of tool geometry on mechanical properties and formation of common defects in FSW such Kissing Bond defect and Hooking was investigated. Specimens were welded with three pin, that is, Cone with stair (stair at intersection of two sheets), frustum, and Tri-flute (rotating speeds: 650 , 500 rpm / welding speeds: 50, 25 mm/min). First, the macrostructure and microstructure of weld sections was investigated, and afterwards tensile shear test from retreating side as well as micro hardness test were examined. The results show that from among three pins which were used in this project, Tri-flute is the best pin simply because the specimens which were welded with this pin not only had an appropriate Hooking height, but also Kissing Bond was not destructive in these specimens.