High speed friction stir welding of thick copper plates

Abstract

When welding large copper parts, the process is strongly limited by the high thermal conductivity and capacity as well as the high temperature strength of copper. These slow down the welding process and require a large heat input. By this the process forces are high and probe failure is a severe issue. Typical welding speeds of thick copper plates today are around 50 to 150 mm/min under laboratory like conditions, requiring a spindle torque up to 1000 Nm, excluding usual multipurpose FSW-machines from this application. This study shows the process and tool development including the verification of a robust tool design. The process is carried out on a multipurpose machine reaching welding speeds up to 500 mm/min in 20 mm rolled Cu-OF. A significant reduction of the process forces, especially traverse force and spindle moment is reached. Due to the relatively low heat input good mechanical properties could be achieved. Tool design, parameters, microstructure, hardness profiles and tensile properties are shown.