Lightweight aluminum joint design: Enhancement of mechanical properties through novel inter-layer and powder additives in friction stir welding

Friction Stir Welding (FSW) is a solid-state joining technique that has garnered significant attention for its ability to weld aluminum alloys while mitigating common issues such as porosity and thermal defects inherent in fusion welding. This study systematically evaluates the impact of inter-layer...

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Main Authors: Equbal Ahmed, Muhammed Muaz, Sajjad Arif, Ravi Kant, Syed Mohd Hamza, Md Kashif Alim, Musab Ahmad Khan, Jaber Abu Qudeiri, Sanan H. Khan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. 2025-05-01
Series:International Journal of Lightweight Materials and Manufacture
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2588840425000101
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author Equbal Ahmed
Muhammed Muaz
Sajjad Arif
Ravi Kant
Syed Mohd Hamza
Md Kashif Alim
Musab Ahmad Khan
Jaber Abu Qudeiri
Sanan H. Khan
author_facet Equbal Ahmed
Muhammed Muaz
Sajjad Arif
Ravi Kant
Syed Mohd Hamza
Md Kashif Alim
Musab Ahmad Khan
Jaber Abu Qudeiri
Sanan H. Khan
author_sort Equbal Ahmed
collection DOAJ
description Friction Stir Welding (FSW) is a solid-state joining technique that has garnered significant attention for its ability to weld aluminum alloys while mitigating common issues such as porosity and thermal defects inherent in fusion welding. This study systematically evaluates the impact of inter-layers and powder additives on the mechanical properties of aluminum FSW joints. Magnesium (Mg) ribbons and Lead–Tin (Sn–Pb) alloy ribbons were employed as inter-layers, while Boron Carbide (B4C), Titanium Dioxide (TiO2), and Manganese (Mn) served as reinforcement powders. Quantitative analysis demonstrated that the combination of Manganese (Mn) powder and Sn–Pb alloy inter-layer achieved a remarkable 28 % improvement in hardness, a 35 % reduction in wear rate, and a 42 % increase in shear strength. Additionally, Mn powder alone yielded the highest shear strength, while Sn–Pb inter-layer with Mn powder provided maximum hardness and wear resistance. Mg ribbon combined with Mn powder produced the lowest surface roughness. These enhancements were corroborated by mechanical testing and morphological characterization, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and microstructural mapping. The findings highlight the effectiveness of tailored inter-layer and powder combinations in enhancing weld quality, providing insights into the underlying mechanisms responsible for these improvements. This study underscores the industrial relevance of these advancements, offering transformative potential for sectors such as aerospace and automotive manufacturing where superior joint properties are critical.
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series International Journal of Lightweight Materials and Manufacture
spelling doaj-art-3df49ac6d6b04c10b61114f43fd65e2b2025-08-20T03:13:30ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.International Journal of Lightweight Materials and Manufacture2588-84042025-05-018334135410.1016/j.ijlmm.2025.02.001Lightweight aluminum joint design: Enhancement of mechanical properties through novel inter-layer and powder additives in friction stir weldingEqubal Ahmed0Muhammed Muaz1Sajjad Arif2Ravi Kant3Syed Mohd Hamza4Md Kashif Alim5Musab Ahmad Khan6Jaber Abu Qudeiri7Sanan H. Khan8Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, Rupnagar, 140001, IndiaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202001, IndiaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202001, IndiaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, Rupnagar, 140001, IndiaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202001, IndiaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202001, IndiaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202001, IndiaMechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, College of Engineering, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, 15551, United Arab EmiratesMechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, College of Engineering, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, 15551, United Arab Emirates; Corresponding author.Friction Stir Welding (FSW) is a solid-state joining technique that has garnered significant attention for its ability to weld aluminum alloys while mitigating common issues such as porosity and thermal defects inherent in fusion welding. This study systematically evaluates the impact of inter-layers and powder additives on the mechanical properties of aluminum FSW joints. Magnesium (Mg) ribbons and Lead–Tin (Sn–Pb) alloy ribbons were employed as inter-layers, while Boron Carbide (B4C), Titanium Dioxide (TiO2), and Manganese (Mn) served as reinforcement powders. Quantitative analysis demonstrated that the combination of Manganese (Mn) powder and Sn–Pb alloy inter-layer achieved a remarkable 28 % improvement in hardness, a 35 % reduction in wear rate, and a 42 % increase in shear strength. Additionally, Mn powder alone yielded the highest shear strength, while Sn–Pb inter-layer with Mn powder provided maximum hardness and wear resistance. Mg ribbon combined with Mn powder produced the lowest surface roughness. These enhancements were corroborated by mechanical testing and morphological characterization, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and microstructural mapping. The findings highlight the effectiveness of tailored inter-layer and powder combinations in enhancing weld quality, providing insights into the underlying mechanisms responsible for these improvements. This study underscores the industrial relevance of these advancements, offering transformative potential for sectors such as aerospace and automotive manufacturing where superior joint properties are critical.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2588840425000101FSWInter-layerPowderAdditivesReinforcementWelding
spellingShingle Equbal Ahmed
Muhammed Muaz
Sajjad Arif
Ravi Kant
Syed Mohd Hamza
Md Kashif Alim
Musab Ahmad Khan
Jaber Abu Qudeiri
Sanan H. Khan
Lightweight aluminum joint design: Enhancement of mechanical properties through novel inter-layer and powder additives in friction stir welding
International Journal of Lightweight Materials and Manufacture
FSW
Inter-layer
Powder
Additives
Reinforcement
Welding
title Lightweight aluminum joint design: Enhancement of mechanical properties through novel inter-layer and powder additives in friction stir welding
title_full Lightweight aluminum joint design: Enhancement of mechanical properties through novel inter-layer and powder additives in friction stir welding
title_fullStr Lightweight aluminum joint design: Enhancement of mechanical properties through novel inter-layer and powder additives in friction stir welding
title_full_unstemmed Lightweight aluminum joint design: Enhancement of mechanical properties through novel inter-layer and powder additives in friction stir welding
title_short Lightweight aluminum joint design: Enhancement of mechanical properties through novel inter-layer and powder additives in friction stir welding
title_sort lightweight aluminum joint design enhancement of mechanical properties through novel inter layer and powder additives in friction stir welding
topic FSW
Inter-layer
Powder
Additives
Reinforcement
Welding
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2588840425000101
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