Title: Response surfaces and sensitivity analysis for friction stir welded AA6061-T6 aluminium alloy joints

Authors: S. Rajakumar, C. Muralidharan, V. Balasubramanian

Addresses: Center for Materials Joining & Research (CEMAJOR), Department of Manufacturing Engineering, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar 608 002, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India. ' Department of Manufacturing Engineering, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar 608 002, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India. ' Center for Materials Joining & Research (CEMAJOR), Department of Manufacturing Engineering, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar 608 002, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract: AA6061-aluminium alloy (Al–Mg–Si alloy) has gathered wide acceptance in the fabrication of lightweight structures requiring a high strength-to-weight ratio and good corrosion resistance. Friction Stir Welding (FSW) process is an emerging solid state joining process in which the material that is being welded does not melt and recast. The FSW process and tool parameters play a major role in deciding the joint strength. In this paper, relationship between the FSW parameters and the tensile strength of the joint was established. Statistical tools such as Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) were used to optimise the FSW parameters. [Received 7 February 2010; Revised 26 July 2010; Accepted 18 September 2010]

Keywords: FSW; friction stir welding; design of experiments; DOE; ANOVA; analysis of variance; RSM; response surface methodology; sensitivity analysis; optimisation; aluminium alloys; joint strength; tensile strength; welded joints.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMR.2011.041127

International Journal of Manufacturing Research, 2011 Vol.6 No.3, pp.215 - 235

Published online: 09 May 2015 *

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