Optimization of friction stir welding parameters for micro alloying of AA6082 alloy

This paper focuses on the parameter optimization of friction stir welding of AA6082 by alloying with copper powder of 325 mesh size. The effect of process parameters, i.e., tool rotational speed, tool traverse feed, tool pin depth and tool pin geometry was studied on the response variable of the friction stir welded joint so produced in terms of tensile strength. The experimental strategy was finalised using Taguchi design of experiments method and ANOVA was used for analysis of the results. The optimum input variables were predicted for obtaining the maximum tensile strength of the welded workpiece. The experimental results show the weld joint strength were influenced by the input factors, in order of their decreasing contribution as tool tip profile (83.51%), tool rotational speed (7%), tool tip depth (2.5%) and tool traverse speed (0.7%) respectively.