Temperature and thermal stress distribution in underwater friction stir welding of aluminium plates

This paper studies the effect of ambient operating conditions on temperature and thermal stresses generated in friction stir welding (FSW) of aluminium alloy plates. AA1050 plate was used with 120x60x3 mm dimensions. Both plates were joined with butt weld in air and underwater ambient conditions. Finite element analysis software COMSOL Multiphysics was used to obtain the transient temperature and thermal stresses induced inside the plates during welding under the two conditions. The effect of frictional heat generated on different parts of weld tool was determined. The results show that weld tool pin has the highest temperature in both the ambient conditions and that the thermal stress and heat affected zone was reduced in case of water.