Development of High Welding Speed in Friction Stir Welded 5182-H111, and the Resulting Influence on down Force

In this manuscript the development of the process parameters to friction stir weld 5.15mm thick AA5182-H111 at a feed rate of 1500mm/min is discussed. Compared to a weld made at 200mm/min the weld-pitch had to be reduced from 2.0rev/mm to 0.3rev/mm and down force increased from 27kN to 59kN to create a weld with tensile-and yield strength exceeding that of the parent material, whilst elongation was only marginally reduced. The low weld pitch coupled with the high feed rate resulted in a reduction in the weld temperature and an increase in the process reaction forces. A lower down force was sufficient to consolidate the stir zone and result in ultimate tensile strength yield strength exceeding that of the parent material. However, elongation was reduced since the low weld pitch also reduced the effectiveness of the flutes on the pin to break up and disperse the oxide layer, rendering a pseudo bond along the ‘Lazy S’. This pseudo bond was eliminated through an increase in the down force.