Taguchi approach for the optimization of refill friction stir spot welding parameters for AA2198-T8 aluminum alloy

• Published in: International journal of advanced manufacturing technology Vol. 99; no. 5-8; pp. 1927 - 1936
• Main Authors: de Castro, Camila Caroline, Plaine, Athos Henrique, de Alcântara, Nelson Guedes, dos Santos, Jorge Fernandez
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Springer London 01.11.2018; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aluminum base alloys; CAE) and Design; Computer-Aided Engineering (CAD; Engineering; Friction stir welding; Industrial and Production Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Mechanical properties; Media Management; Optimization; Original Article; Process parameters; Shear strength; Spot welding; Taguchi methods; Variance analysis; Weld strength; Welded joints; Welding parameters; Aerospace materials; Refill friction stir spot welding; Aluminum alloy; Taguchi method
• ISSN: 0268-3768; 1433-3015
• DOI: 10.1007/s00170-018-2609-2

The present study features analytical and experimental results of AA2198-T8 joints produced by the refill friction stir spot welding of 1.6-mm-thick sheets. The selection of proper parameters for this process, such as tool rotational speed (RS), welding time (WT), and tool plunge depth (PD), played an important role in assuring weld strength. In this work, experimental tests were carried out based on the welding conditions according to Taguchi method, in order to determine optimal welding parameters and investigate the effect of those in the joint’s mechanical properties and welded area. Results based on lap shear strength showed that RS and PD were responsible for more than 80% of strength variance, while the analysis based on the stir zone area measurement of the welds endorsed that WT had an insignificant contribution to the strength. Higher strength was correlated to bigger stir zone area, which results from higher RS and PD values.