Abstract
The effect of welding speed on the tensile properties and fracture behavior of friction stir welded AA6061-T6 joints was examined. AA6061-T6 sheets of 4.95 mm in thickness were friction stir welded in the butt joint configuration. The friction stir welding (or FSW) parameters were varied by altering a welding (or traverse) speed of a cylindrical tool, keeping its rotational speed constant. Dumbbell-shaped specimens machined from the base material and the FS welded joints were used in the tension tests. The Ramberg-Osgood relationship was used to describe the true tensile stress-strain curves. It is shown that the FS welded joints exhibit reduced strength and ductility compared with the base material. This reduction is discussed from a microstructural point of view.
