Tool design and stir zone grain size in AZ31 friction stir spot welds

Abstract

The influence of tool design and tool rotational speed variations on the torque, energy output, stir zone temperature and average grain size in the stir zones of AZ31 friction stir spot welds was investigated. The average stir zone grain size decreased by ∼1 μm in AZ31 friction stir spot welds made using a three-flat/threaded tool design and tool rotational speeds of 2250 and 3000 rev min⁻¹. However, there was no statistically significant influence of tool design on the average grain sizes in friction stir spot welds made using tool rotational speeds of 1500 and 1000 rev min⁻¹. There was no evidence of grain growth in the stir zones of AZ31 friction stir spot welds. Similar torque, calculated energy output and stir zone temperature values were found in AZ31 friction stir spot welds made using threaded and three-flat threaded tool designs and tool rotational speeds from 1000 to 3000 rev min⁻¹.