Optimization of Process Parameters of Friction Stir Welding by Taguchi Method

Abstract

Friction Stir Welding is one of the technologies of joining solid states, which still attracts the researchers’ interest.  In welded joints the mechanical properties are affected by a number of mechanical properties of the joined materials and by the process parameters as well. In the present study, the effect of a number of friction stir welding parameters on the tensile strength of the welded joint have been investigated using the Taguchi method and the analysis of variance (ANOVA). The study considers different levels of friction stir welding variables; namely, different rotational speeds of (2000, 1600, 1250 rpm), different welding speeds (12.5, 16, 20 mm / min), and different welding tilt angles (0, 1, 2 degrees).  The optimum process parameters and their contribution rate were selected based on the Taguchi method for test design and by using the Minitab 16 program. In this study, the best results (i.e, higher tensile strength) were obtained at a rotational velocity of 1600 rpm, linear velocity of 16 mm / min, and welding angle, 1o. The highest tensile strength was obtained under these conditions.