Temperature fields in linear stage of friction stir welding: Effect of different material properties

Abstract

Friction stir welding is one of the procedures for joining the parts in solid state. Thermo-mechanical simulation of the friction stir welding of high-strength aluminium alloys 2024 T3 and 2024 T351 is considered in this work. Numerical models corresponding to the linear welding stage are developed in Abaqus software package. The material behaviour is modelled by Johnson-Cook law (which relates the yield stress with temperature, strain and strain rate), and the Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian technique is applied. The difference in thermo-mechanical behaviour between the two materials has been analysed and commented. The main quantities which are considered are the temperature in the weld area, plastic strain, as well as the rate of heat generation during the welding process.