INVESTIGATION INTO THE PROPERTIES OF FRICTION-WELDED ALUMINUM BARS

The replacement of copper by aliminium is inevitable for certain appli cation in the electrical industry due to economic reasons. Whilst in t he majority of cases, aluminium can be joined only by adhesive bonding , mechanical fastening and solid-phase welding techniques. Friction we lding offers an alternative welding process for the joining the alumin ium bars. Frinction welding is well known for its ability to weld alum inium to many metals and consequently is being considered seriously. T he present study examines the friction welding of aluminium bars. Thre e welding parameters including welding time, speed of rotation and app lied pressure are considered. To carry out a statistical analysis (fac torial analysis) determining the affecting parameters on the mechanica l properties of the resulting welds, each factor is considered at thre e levels. Metallurigical investigation is carried out using SEM and op tical microscopy.