Identification of Process Parameters for Friction Stir Welding Ti–6Al–4V

Abstract

An experimental study was conducted to identify acceptable welding parameters for friction stir welding Ti-6Al-4V butt joints, ranging from 3 mm to 12 mm in thickness. The primary parameters of interest were the spindle speed and feed rate. Welds were produced using spindle speeds of 140–320 rpm and feed rates between 40 mm/min and 125 mm/min. Joints were evaluated by macro- and micrometallurgical examination along with limited fatigue and tensile testing. The weld parameters were found to influence the microstructure, penetration, void formation, and tool wear among other things. A process window was identified for combinations of the feed rate and spindle speed capable of achieving defect free joints for a given tooling configuration and thickness. It was found that the tensile and fatigue properties of the welds produced in this study were comparable to Ti–6Al–4V base material properties.