Effect of Porosity Content on the Weldability of Powder Metal Parts Produced by Friction Stir Welding

Abstract

Friction stir welding technique (FSW) has many advantages in terms of tool design, rotational speed and traveling speed, and can be adjusted in a precise manner. It enables heat input into the system to be controlled. In this study, Aluminum powders were compacted at 350,400 and 450 MPa pressure and sintered at 450 oC temperature for 30 minutes in Ar atmosphere. Sintered powder metal parts were joined to each other by FSW at the speed of 1800 rpm and traveling welding speed 200 mm/min under a constant friction force. The results show that the amount of porosity affects the weldability of powder metallurgy (P/M) parts. Furthermore, the porosity and microstructural evolution of the Aluminum also affected the hardness values of the tested materials.