Effect of traverse speed on three-point bending behavior and surface quality of AA5083-H111 friction stir welds

The FSW was developed to obtain a good joint in terms of surface quality, mechanical property and microhardness in aluminum and other alloy systems. This study investigates the effect of traverse speed on the three-point bending behavior and surface quality of friction stir welds in AA5083-H111 aluminum alloy by using with different parameters such as weld speeds (16, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50 and 63 mm/min) while maintaining constant rotational speed (1400 rpm) and tool geometry. The resulting welds were subjected to three-point bending tests to evaluate their mechanical performance, specifically focusing on yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, and ductility. Additionally, the investigation includes macrostructure, microhardness, and fracture toughness evaluations. The findings indicated that an augmentation in traverse speed led to elevated tensile strength and hardness levels due to enhanced material flow and bonding, while higher speeds led to increased surface roughness and reduced weld integrity. The study suggests that superior joints with favorable mechanical properties can be achieved by utilizing an intermediate rotational speed of 1400 rpm and a traverse speed of 20 mm/min.