Abstract:Friction stir welding (FSW) is a promising welding process that can produce low-cost and high-quality joints of strain-hardened aluminum alloys. In order to demonstrate the friction stir weldability of the AA5083 aluminum alloy, the tensile properties and fracture locations of the joints were evaluated. The experimental results show that the welding parameters have significant effects on the tensile properties and fracture locations of the joints. When the revolutionary pitch is greater than a specific value, some void defects exist in the joints, the tensile properties of the joints seriously deteriorate, and the joints are fractured near the weld nugget edge on the advancing side. When the revolutionary pitch is smaller than the specific value, no defects are formed in the joints, the tensile properties of the joints are at comparatively high levels, and the joints are almost fractured in the weld center. Under the condition of the optimum revolutionary pitch of 0.03mm/r, the ultimate strength of the joint is equivalent to 73% that of the base material.

Key words: friction stir welding; aluminum alloy; tensile properties;welding parameter