Increase in the Fatigue Strength of Aluminium Alloy Welded Joints through the Friction Processing of the Joint Surface

Increasingly high requirements concerning welded structures made of aluminium alloys trigger the issue of fatigue strength. Previous tests have indicated that the fatigue strength of FSW joints is higher than that of, e.g. MIG-welded joints. However, it should be noted that the use of the FSW technology may sometimes be limited or impossible. One of the methods enabling an increase in the fatigue strength of arc welded joints includes the treatment of the joint surface. The study presents results of the friction stir processing (FSP) of MIG-welded joints made of aluminium alloy EN AW-6082 and the effect of the aforesaid technique on the fatigue strength of the joints. The tests revealed that the use of the FSP method makes it possible to increase the fatigue strength of butt welded joints by approximately 50%.

doi: 10.17729/ebis.2020.1/1