Mechanical and Metallurgical Characteristics of Rotary Friction Welded Low Carbon Steel Plate/Rod Joints

Abstract

This work aims to study the mechanical properties and microstructural characteristics of rotary friction welding of the unsymmetrical (plate/rod) joints of AISI 1018 low carbon steel plate and AISI 1020 low carbon steel rod. The mechanical properties (tensile properties and hardness) were studied. The fractured surface of the tensile specimen was examined by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The tesnile properties (strength and elongation) are higher than the AISI 1018 plate but slightly lower than the AISI 1020 rod due to coarse ferrite grains in the HAZ region of the AISI 1018 plate. The hardness varied from the fully deformed zone (FDZ) to the base metal. The average value of the ultimate tensile strength of the friction welded joint is about 452 MPa. The average value of hardness at fully deformed zone is about 252 Hv, which 32% higher than the base metal.