W.M Thomas

Bio: W.M Thomas is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Heat-affected zone & Welding. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 581 citations.

Microstructural evolution of 6063 aluminum during friction-stir welding

Abstract: The microstructural distribution associated with a hardness profile in a friction-stir-welded, age-hardenable 6063 aluminum alloy has been characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and orientation imaging microscopy (OIM). The friction-stir process produces a softened region in the 6063 Al weld. Frictional heating and plastic flow during friction-stir welding create fine recrystallized grains in the weld zone and recovered grains in the thermomechanically affected zone. The hardness profile depends greatly on the precipitate distribution and only slightly on the grain size. The softened region is characterized by dissolution and growth of the precipitates during the welding. Simulated weld thermal cycles with different peak temperatures have shown that the precipitates are dissolved at temperatures higher than 675 K and that the density of the strengthening precipitate was reduced by thermal cycles lower than 675 K. A comparison between the thermal cycles and isothermal aging has suggested precipitation sequences in the softened region during friction-stir welding.

Friction stir welded structural materials: beyond Al-alloys

Abstract: The friction stir welding (FSW) technique is widely accepted to be one of the most significant welding techniques to emerge in the last 20 years. Friction stir welding of Al-alloys is now commonplace and is covered in several recent reviews, including one in this journal. Consequently, the technique is currently being used for joining of these alloys in various industrial applications. Complementary to these developments has been a dramatic increase in research into joining of other alloys and systems by FSW. This field is very active, but less mature. Thus, the aim of this review article is to build on our understanding of the fundamentals, as applied to Al-alloys that laid out in the previous review in this journal, and to address the current state-of-the-art of FSW developing beyond Al-alloys, including Mg-alloys, Cu-alloys, steels, Ti-alloys and metal matrix composites, focusing particularly on microstructural aspects, including texture formation, and the resulting properties of these joints. ...

Influences of pin profile and rotational speed of the tool on the formation of friction stir processing zone in AA2219 aluminium alloy

Abstract: AA2219 aluminium alloy has gathered wide acceptance in the fabrication of light weight structures requiring a high strength-to-weight ratio. Compared to the many fusion welding processes that are routinely used for joining structural aluminium alloys, friction stir welding (FSW) process is an emerging solid state joining process in which the material that is being welded does not melt and recast. The welding parameters and tool pin profile play a major role in deciding the weld quality. In this investigation an attempt has been made to understand the influences of rotational speed and pin profile of the tool on friction stir processed (FSP) zone formation in AA2219 aluminium alloy. Five different tool pin profiles (straight cylindrical, tapered cylindrical, threaded cylindrical, triangular and square) have been used to fabricate the joints at three different tool rotational speeds. The formation of FSP zone has been analysed macroscopically. Tensile properties of the joints have been evaluated and correlated with the FSP zone formation. From this investigation it is found that the square tool pin profile produces mechanically sound and metallurgically defect free welds compared to other tool pin profiles.