Effect of Water Level on Mechanical Properties of Underwater Friction Stir Welded Aluminum Alloys

Abstract

Abstract: The rise of unconventional means of joining metals has given way to Friction stir welding and underwater friction stir welding (UFSW). Underwater friction stir welding is a modern technique of welding metals together that does not involve excessive amounts of heat, filler rods and shielding gases and is considered an effective ‘Green Technology ‘. It is an upgrade on Friction stir welding in the way it uses water as a cooling medium. In this project, experiments have been conducted to determine the effect of the water level on mechanical properties of underwater friction stir welded aluminum alloys. Three sets of Aluminum slabs are welded using underwater friction Stir welding at three different water levels and then attempt to compare the variation of mechanical properties of the weld under different water levels. It is observed that the tensile strength of welded joints varies with the water level in proportion.

Index Terms: Friction stir welding, filler rods, Aluminum Slabs, Mechanical Properties