The effect of tool rotational and traverse speed on friction stir weldability of AISI 430 ferritic stainless steels

Abstract In this study, the effects of tool rotational speed and traverse speed on welding of AISI 430 (X6Cr17, material number 1.4016) ferritic stainless steels by friction stir welding method are examined. Two specimens with dimension of 3 × 100 × 200 mm were joined in butt position. Tool rotational speeds were determined to be 560–1400 min −1 and traverse speeds as 80–200 mm/min. During the studies, tool pressure force 3.5 kN and tool angle of 0° was kept constant. Hard metal carbide (WC-Co hard metal identified as K10) with equilateral triangle tip profile was used as the tool material. Determination of the tool advance speeds related to the tool rotation speeds giving the best-looking weld seals with acceptable values of mechanical properties was aimed. During welding of the specimens joined in butt position, the temperature change due to time and variation of the pressure force applied on welded specimens by the tool shoulder has been recorded. It has been observed that the best mechanical resistance values were obtained at tool rotational speed of 1120 min −1 through five tool rotational speeds (560–1400). Also it has been observed that the best mechanical resistance values were obtained at traverse speed of 125 mm/min through five traverse speeds (80–200) with the constant tool pressure force of 3.5 kN and tool angle of 0°.