The mechanical effects of weavetrack on friction stir welds in a lap configuration

Abstract

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

The Mechanical Effects of WeaveTrack on Friction Stir Welds in a Lap configuration

Christopher Edward Hendricks

Thesis under the direction of Professor A.M. Strauss

The mechanical effects of WeaveTrack on Friction Stir Welds in a Lap configuration is presented in this thesis. First an overview of Friction Stir Welding and the relevant literature is introduced. Then the use of an automatic seam tracking program entitled WeaveTrack is implemented to study its effects on the ultimate tensile strength and fatigue properties of the weld. Next, the elimination of defects is attempted through the use of parameter changes. A computer model is created and Finite Element Analysis is used to examine the stress contours through the sample during mechanical tensile testing. The results from the experiments show that defects can be eliminated for some parameters. Most importantly, it was confirmed that WeaveTrack created a wider weld region leading to enhanced mechanical properties.