The effect of offset tools on aluminum AA6351 alloy friction stir welds

Abstract Friction Stir Welding (FSW) is a new and emerging solid-phase welding technique. Being a solid-state nature, this process offers several advantages including absent of melt related defects, low distortion, and higher weld joint strength etc., in comparison with traditional fusion type of welding techniques. Because of these numerous advantages, FSW technique is more frequently used in different industries. A non-consumable rotating tool is utilised in this process. The tip of the tool generates frictional heat while rotating on the abutting workpiece surface to complete the welding process. In this current investigation, experimental work is performed to study the effect of various offset tools on weld strength and also to compare without any offset. FSW has been done with all these tools by changing the tool’s rotational speed. The base material used in this study is five millimeter thick Aluminum AA6351 alloy. The tensile test conducted for all prepared weld samples to evaluate the better tool.