An assessment of Mechanical Properties of friction stir welded AA 7075 joints

Abstract
Aluminum (AA 7075) alloys find applications in the aeronautic industry due to their lightweight associated with high mechanical strength and fatigue resistance. AA7075 aluminum alloy (AlZn-Mg-Cu alloy) has gathered wide acceptance in the fabrication of light weight structures requiring high strength-to weight ratio, such as transportable bridge girders, military vehicles, road tankers and railway transport systems. However the lightweight structural and functional parts of aluminum alloys may be joined using mechanical fasteners as well as a variety of welding methods including gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) process and gas metal arc welding (GMAW) process due to their comparatively easier applicability and better economy. The aluminum alloys Welded by these process presents fusion zones typically exhibit coarse columnar grains because of the prevailing thermal conditions during weld metal solidification. This often results inferior weld mechanical properties, micro structures and poor resistance to hot cracking. The present study attempts to investigate the mechanical properties of Aluminum alloy (AA 7075) welded by friction stir welding through the systematic experimental design.

Objective
1. To set the friction stir welding guidelines for industrial applications for welding AA7075

alloys.
2. To carry out the experimental work by varying process parameters, including welding

rotational speed, longitudinal speed, current pulse, axial force.

3. A mathematical model is proposed to develop and validate the welding parameters about the mechanical properties of the welded joint.

Signature of the candidate S.Mahendiran Asst.Professor Department of Mechanical Engineering Kingston Engineering College Katpadi, Vellore.

Signature of the Supervisor Dr.N.Muthukrishnan Professor and Head of the Department Mechanical Engineering Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering Sriperumbudur.