A comparative study on mechanical properties between linear and zigzag pattern holes reinforced with tialite particles during FSW of AA6082 alloy

Abstract

In this study, a comparison between linear and zigzag patterned holes is carried out where the holes in the pattern are incorporated with tialite/aluminium titanate (Al₂TiO₅) particles at the weldment region during friction stir welding of AA6082-T6 aluminium alloy. Different values of tool rotational speed (TRS: 1000, 1200 and 1400 rpm) and welding speed (WS: 35, 40 and 45 mm/min) are considered for the fabrication of joints by both patterns. Visually, no defects are found in all the welded samples. Microstructural analysis has proven that the uniform distribution of particles along the weld region can be obtained by using a zigzag pattern. Maximum hardness is found in the stir zone (SZ), whereas minimum hardness is found in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) for all the samples. The maximum ultimate tensile strength (UTS: 268 MPa), maximum yield strength (YS: 200 MPa) and relatively higher elongation (EL: 7.89%) are exhibited by the Z5 sample, whereas minimum UTS (206 MPa) and minimum YS (142 MPa) was exhibited by L3 and Z7 samples, respectively.