Effect of shoulder features during friction spot extrusion welding of 2024-T3 to 6061-T6 aluminium alloys

Friction spot extrusion welding process is successfully performed on dissimilar aluminum alloys of AA2024-T3 and AA6061-T6 under the influence of shoulder features. The joints were analysed by microstructural features and mechanical properties using conventional and advanced tools of visual inspection, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, electron back scattered diffractions, tensile testing and hardness testing. The results revealed that the joining was obtained by combination of mechanical locking from extruded material of top surface to predrilled bottom surface and diffusion in solid state. The stir zone and plastically deformed metal flow zone were influenced by scroll shoulder and smooth shoulder features. The tensile specimen of scroll shoulder was resulted to higher fracture load of 6381 N whereas the same was 4916 N in case of smooth shoulder. The interface of between plastically deformed metal flow zone and base material of AA6061-T6 can be considered as critical/weakest zone in case of friction spot extrusion. The variations of hardness were observed in stir zone, plastically deformed metal flow zone and thermo-mechanically affected zone in case of friction spot extrusion welding process.