Development Possibilities of Friction Stir Welding Tools for Aluminum Alloys

Abstract

In recent years, demand for aluminum and aluminum alloys has been increasing because of their favorable properties. The properties of aluminum alloys are similar to those of structural steel, but their weight is approximately one third of that of steel. Technological development makes it possible to weld metals that are difficult to join with traditional fusion welding, such as aluminum alloys. The process is known as Friction Stir Welding (FSW). This article briefly introduces the FSW procedure and its application. In this research, 5053 aluminum alloys were welded with this technology, using customized FSW tools. These tools were manufactured using 3D printing technology, which enabled the manufacture of complex geometries. After welding, the pieces were subjected to the following material tests: visual inspection, tensile testing, hardness testing and metallographic analysis.