Finite Element Analysis of Materials Flow Behavior in Friction Stir Welding of 7075 Aluminum Alloy Plate

A 3D elastic-plastic and coupled thermo-mechanical FE model for friction stir welding(FSW) of 7075 aluminum alloy plate was developed based on the dynamic explicit code ABAQUS/explicit, then the FSW process of 7075 aluminum alloy plate was simulated and the materials flow behavior was analyzed. The results show that in the horizontal direction of the plate, two patterns of materials migration are produced: (I) the material rotates with the tool and finally deposits the tentative cavity behind the pin; (2) the material transfers in the mode of laminar flow. Furthermore, the streamlines of material in advanced side (AS) are bent along the reverse welding direction. After bypassing the pin, the material of retreating side (RS) moves backward it, and extends to AS.