Predictions of tool forces in friction stir welding of AZ91 magnesium alloy

Abstract

Adaptive remeshing technique based finite element model of friction stir welding was used for the investigation of tool forces in the welding processes. Results indicate that the maximum tool forces occur at the initial time in the translational stage. In the tool forces in the three directions, the axial force is the maximum. The tool force in the direction perpendicular to the welding line is the minimum. The tool forces in the three directions are all increased with the increase in transverse speed and decreased with the increase in angular velocity.

Keywords:

• Friction stir welding
• Finite element method
• Tool force
• Adaptive remeshing

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant no. 11172057) and the National Key Basic Research Special Foundation of China (grant no. 2011CB013401).