NASA/TM--1999-209876

Friction Stir Welding for Aluminum

Metal Matrix Composites (MMC's)

(MSFC Center Director's Discretionary Fund Final Report,

Project No. 98-09)

J.A. Lee, R.W. Carter, and J. Ding

Marshall Space Flight Center, Marshall Space Flight Center, Alabama

December 1999

https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20000004679 2018-05-14T14:04:39+00:00Z
The NASA STI Program Office...in Profile

Since its founding, NASA has been dedicated to

the advancement of aeronautics and space

science. The NASA Scientific and Technical

Information (STI) Program Office plays a key

part in helping NASA maintain this important

role.

The NASA STI Program Office is operated by

Langley Research Center, the lead center for

NASA's scientific and technical information. The

NASA STI Program Office provides access to the

NASA STI Database, the largest collection of

aeronautical and space science STI in the world. The

Program Office is also NASA's institutional

mechanism for disseminating the results of its

research and development activities. These results

are published by NASA in the NASA STI Report

Series, which includes the following report types:

TECHNICAL PUBLICATION. Reports of

completed research or a major significant phase

of research that present the results of NASA

programs and include extensive data or

theoretical analysis. Includes compilations of

significant scientific and technical data and

information deemed to be of continuing reference

value. NASA' s counterpart of peer-reviewed

formal professional papers but has less stringent

limitations on manuscript length and extent of

graphic presentations.

TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM. Scientific and

technical findings that are preliminary or of

specialized interest, e.g., quick release reports,

working papers, and bibliographies that contain

minimal annotation. Does not contain extensive

analysis.

CONTRACTOR REPORT. Scientific and

technical findings by NASA-sponsored

contractors and grantees.

CONFERENCE PUBLICATION. Collected

papers from scientific and technical conferences,

symposia, seminars, or other meetings sponsored

or cosponsored by NASA.

SPECIAL PUBLICATION. Scientific, technical,

or historical information from NASA programs,

projects, and mission, often concerned with

subjects having substantial public interest.

TECHNICAL TRANSLATION.

English-language translations of foreign scientific

and technical material pertinent to NASA's

mission.

Specialized services that complement the STI

Program Office's diverse offerings include creating

custom thesauri, building customized databases,

organizing and publishing research results...even

providing videos.

For more information about the NASA STI Program

Office, see the following:

• Access the NASA STI Program Home Page at

http://www.sti.nasa.gov

• E-mail your question via the Internet to

help@sti.nasa.gov

• Fax your question to the NASA Access Help

Desk at (301) 621-0134

° Telephone the NASA Access Help Desk at (301)

621-0390

Write to:

NASA Access Help Desk

NASA Center for AeroSpace Information

7121 Standard Drive

Hanover, MD 21076-1320
NASA / TM--1999-209876

Friction Stir Welding for Aluminum

Metal Matrix Composites (MMC's)

(MSFC Center Director's Discretionary Fund Final Report,

Project No. 98-09)

J.A. Lee, R.W. Carter, and J. Ding

Marshall Space Flight Center, Marshall Space Flight Center, Alabama

National Aeronautics and

Space Administration

Marshall Space Flight Center • MSFC, Alabama 35812

December 1999
Acknowledgments

The Principal Investigator, Jonathan Lee, wishes to thank Robert Carter and Jeff Ding for their assistance in performing the

fiiction slir welding. Furthermore, the authors would like to acknowledge the financial support fiom the Center Director's

Discretionary Fund (CDDF) program officc at MSFC and to Mark van dcn Bcrgh, fi'om DWA Aluminum Composites, Inc.,

for supplying mosl of thc composite matcrial panels used in this study.

Available fl'om:

NASA Center fl_l"AcroSpacc Information

7121 Standard Drive

Hanover, MD 21076-1320

(301) 621-0390

National Technical Information Service

5285 Port Royal Road

Springficld, VA 22161

(703) 487-4650
TABLE OF CONTENTS

i. INTRODUCTION .......

"'''°''°°'''''°° ........ ''°'.*... °°°°.°°....°°°.Hi°, ..... °... ...... . .... °. .... ...°°..o°.°°°°°. .... ° .... °. ........

2. POTENTIAL ISSUES IN JOINING MMC'S

............. ...°., ................ °°.... .... .° .... ° ..... ,,.°o_o........°. °....

2.1 Solidification Effects

......... . ......... ,. ...... o,, .... °,,°,, .... ..,, ..... *,,,,**.,,,, °,,°,,,,,,,,,,°,,., .... **°, ...... ,,°°,***..°.,

2.2 Chemical Reactions

..... .°.,,.,,.,. ..... ..,,°.,,,,,,°, ,,,,,, ,., ..... °.,,, .... ,,.. ........... ,, .... ,°,.,. .......... .. ....... 1.,° .....

2.3 Joint Preparation ......................................................................................................................

2.4 Qualitative Performance Rating ...................................................................................... : .......

3. FRICTION STIR WELDING OF A1 6092/17.5 SiCpFF-6 MMC'S .............................................

3. I Background ..............................................................................................................................

3.2 Experimental Procedures .........................................................................................................

3.3 Results ....

.... °.**,,° .............. ,,,,., .... , ....................... .,.,.. .......... , .... , .... , .... . ...... ,, ................. , .... ** .... ,°

4. FSW OF FUNCTIONAL GRADIENT A1 MMC TO AI-Li 2195 .................................................

4. I Background ..............................................................................................................................

4.2 Experimental Procedures .........................................................................................................

4.3 Results

...................... . .................... . ........ .....°............**°...

..°..°*..... .... .°.......... .... . ..... ° ......... ....°....

5. TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT AND POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS .....................................

5.1 Performance Limitations of FSW ...................

...... °......°.....°......° ........ ... ....... ......................

5.2 Potential Applications for MMC Flanges ................................................................................

5.3 Other Potential Joining Techniques for MMC Flanges ...........................................................

6. CONCLUSIONS ..................................

.. .................. . .............. .....o .......... . ......... .. .... . .... . .... . .... . ......

7. RECOMMENDATIONS

......... . .......... . .... ..... ......... ***. ........... ... .... °.... ........... ...°.. ..... o ........ .....**.......

REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................................

1

2

2

2

2

3

5

5

6

8

12

12

13

13

15

15

15

16

18

19

20

111
LIST OF FIGURES

o

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

Classification of selected joining methods for MMC's ....................................................

Schematic drawing of FSW process .................................................................................

FSW in action and the pin tool's geometric design ..........................................................

Comparison of hardness values for candidate coating materials ......................................

Cross-sectional view of an FSW joint for MMC's (x 10) ................................................

Change in SiC particle sizes and distribution at the HAZ's edge boundary .....................

Hardness measurement across the HAZ ...........................................................................

Development of FGM for MMC plates ............................................................................

FGM with 18.5-percent edge reinforcement welded to A1-Li 2195 .................................

Unsuccessful welding of 50-percent SiC MMC plate to A1-Li 2195 ...............................

MMC flanges reinforced with 50-percent SiC particulate for fuel line system ...............

4

5

6

7

8

9

11

12

13

14

16

iv
LIST OF TABLES

°

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Chemical compositions of 6092 AI alloy as the matrix material ..........................................

Typical properties of 6092 AI reinforced with 17.5-percent SiC particulate ........................

Empirical parameters developed for FSW of MMC's ..........................................................

MMC joint strength results using uncoated pin tool ............................................................

MMC joint strength results using B4C-coated pin tool ........................................................

FSW advantages and limitations for joining MMC's ...........................................................

7

7

8

10

I0

15

V
LIST OF ACRONYMS AND SYMBOLS

A!

A1-Li

A1203

AI4C 3

B4C

CIJ

FGM

FSW

HAZ

HRC

GMAW

GTAW

IFW

ipm

MMC

MSFC

NPA

RSP

SBIR

Si

SiC

TWI

UTS

WC

aluminum

aluminum-lithium

aluminum oxide

aluminum carbide

boron carbide

cast-insert joining

functional gradient material

fi-iction stir welding

heat-affected zone

hardness Rockwell "C" scale

gas metal arc welding

gas tungsten arc welding

inertia friction welding

inch per minute

metal matrix composite

Marshall Space Flight Center

nanophase aluminum

resistance spot welding

Small Business Innovative Research

silicon

silicon carbide

The Welding Institute

ultimate tensile strength

tungsten carbide

vi
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM

FRICTION STIR WELDING FOR ALUMINUM METAL MATRIX COMPOSITES (MMC'S)

(MSFC Center Director's Discretionary Fund Final Report, Project No. 98-09)

1. INTRODUCTION

In order to fabricate certain structures from metal matrix composites (MMC's), effective joining

methods must be developed to join MMC's to the same or to different monolithic alloys. Since MMC's

utilize a variety of nonmetallic reinforcements such as silicon carbide (SIC), boron carbide (B4C),

aluminum oxide (AI203) ' graphite, etc., these nonmetallic reinforcements will naturally impose limitations for joining MMC's using conventional methods for monolithic metals.

This report describes an investigation into the use of the friction stir welding (FSW) process for

joining a variety of AI MMC's reinforced with discontinuous SiC particulate and functionally gradient

material (FGM). FSW is a fairly new solid state welding process for joining metals by plasticizing and

consolidating materials around the bond line using thermal energy produced from localized friction

forces. The process does not require the need for gas shielding or filler metal. The FSW process consists

of a special rotating pin tool that is positioned to slowly plunge into the MMC surface at the bond line.

As the tool rotates and moves forward along the bond line, the material is heated up and forced to flow

around the rotating tips, forming a solid state joint. FSW has the potential for producing sound welds

with MMC's because the processing temperature occurs well below the melting point of the metal,

thereby reducing the reinforcement-to-matrix solidification defects and undesirable chemical reactions.

Preliminary results show that FSW is feasible to weld A1 MMC's to MMC's or to aluminumlithium (AI-Li) 2195 if the SiC reinforcement is <25 percent by volume. Tensile strength, hardness, and

microstructure of these welds were characterized in both the as-welded and post heat treatment conditions. However, a softening in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) was observed and is known to be one of the

major limiting factors for joint strength. The pin tool's material is made from a low-cost steel tool H-13

material, and the wear was excessive such that the pin tool length had to be manually adjusted for every

5 ft of weldment. Initially, B4C coating was developed for pin tools, but it did not show significant

improvement in wear resistance. Basically, FSW is applicable mainly for butt joining of flat plates.

Therefore, FSW of cylindrical articles such as a flange to a duct, with practical diameters ranging from

2-5 in., must be fully demonstrated and compared with other proven MMC joining techniques.
2. POTENTIAL ISSUES IN JOINING MMC'S

2.1 Solidification Effects

In general, MMC's utilize a variety of nonmetallic reinforcements with a typical volume fraction

ranging from 5 to 60 percent. For this reason, there are several potential joining issues that are peculiar

to MMC's such as the solidification effects. Since most nonmetallic reinforcements have different

densities from the metal matrix, this can lead to pronounced particle segregation effects when the matrix

is in the molten state. Below a certain critical solidification temperature, reinforcements can be pushed

ahead of the solidification front, resulting in nonuniformity of the reinforcement in the weld region.

Under the molten state, the composite rnetal weld pool generally has a higher viscosity and does not

flow as well as the unreinforced metal matrix. High viscosity can often lead to a lower heat transfer by

convection mechanism in the weld pool, which can affect the resulting microstructures and the stress

distributions in the MMC's. Solidification effects are difficult to control and commonly encountered in

most fusion welding techniques. Solidification problems may result in dissolution of the reinforcements

and nonuniform packing density due to the migration of the reinforcement into the weld regions. Most

conventional fusion welding techniques such as arc welding, electron-beam welding, and laser-beam

welding can fundamentally be considered as miniature castings with different boundary conditions and

complex solidification effects.

2.2 Chemical Reactions

In the past, there were some fusion welding techniques that have been used with moderate

success on some types of particulate reinforced MMC's. However, the major difficulty with fusion

welding for MMC's is that prolonged contact between a molten-metal matrix and particulate reinforcements can lead to undesirable chemical reactions. For instance, liquid phase AI will react with SiC

reinforcement to precipitate the aluminum carbide (A14C3) and increase the silicon (Si) content upon

cooling down the molten metal matrix. Similarly, carbon or graphite will react with A1 or certain types of

metal matrices at high processing temperatures to form detrimental phases. In the presence of moisture,

metal carbides can decompose with the release of hydrocarbon gases and increase the joint susceptibility

to corrosion cracking and joint strength degradation. Consequently, the chemical compatibility of the

metal to reinforcement for a specific joining method is material and process specific. Most fusion processes are high thermal energy processes that are not easily applied to MMC's. For example, experimental data suggested that the laser energy is preferentially absorbed by most nonmetallic reinforcements in

the very narrow weld regions of high heat flux. Therefore, fusion welds must be automated with high

welding speed and temperature control in order to reduced undesirable chemical reaction.

2.3 Joint Preparation

Because of their nonmetallic reinforcements, MMC's tend to have low ductility; high surfacewear resistance; and high brittleness to machine, cut, or drill using standard steel cutting tools and saw
blades.Most MMC's with highreinforcementvolumerangingfrom 40to 60percentwill behavemore

like ceramicthanmonolithic metalsandcanbecomedifficult to cutor machine.In preparationfor an

MMC joint prior to welding,thecuttinganddrilling parameterssuchasspeedandforcemustbecarefully controlledin orderto avoidcompositepaneltearoutor crack.To avoidexcessivetool wear,it is a

commonpracticefor diamond-or diamond-like-coatedsteeltoolsto beemployedfor MMC's.

2.4 Qualitative Performance Rating

Figure 1 shows that the major joining methods for MMC's can be classified into three main

groups: (1) Solid state, (2) fusion, and (3) other processes. Presently, it is important to realize that the

joining technology is not mature for MMC's, and many important joining technical details are still

lacking. I Consequently, the precise knowledge of the adaptability of a specific joining method, including

FSW in this study, is a specific material and process-dependent factor which must be determined experimentally. As a general rule, the adaptability of any joining techniques for MMC's will depend on the

combination of the following factors: (I) The volume percent amount and types of reinforcements,

(2) the metal matrix meIting point, and (3) the thermal energy management fi'om the selected joining

process. A brief summary of these three factors is given as follow:

Since MMC's utilize a variety of nonmetallic reinforcements, the higher the reinforcement volume

fraction, the less likely for standard metal joining techniques to adapt. Discontinuously reinforced

MMC's are easier to join than continuously reinforced MMC's using fibers which are prone to

matrix fiber debonding, delamination, nonuniform fiber packing density, and migration of fibers

bundled into the weld regions.

The prolonged contact time between a molten-metal matrix and a reinforcement can lead to undesirable chemical reactions that are accelerated as the molten-metal temperature increases. Therefore,

the metal matrix reinforcement chemical compatibility is a material- and temperature-dependent

factor. For this reason, the higher the metal matrix melting temperature, the less likely most of the

fusion techniques are to adapt.

Although high thermal energy is required for most conventional joining processes, excessive thermal

energy input is undesirable. Therefore, the use of an automated joining process or a special joining

method that can offer a well-controlled, thermal-energy input in a minimum process time will likely

improve the joining adaptability for MMC's.

3
I

[

Inertia Friction Welding

Frictioin Stir Welding

Ultrasonic Welding

Diffusion Bonding

MMC JoiningMethods

Laser BeamWelding

Electron BeamWelding

Gas Metal Arc Welding

GasTungsten Arc Welding

ResistanceSpot Welding

CapacitorDischarge Welding

I

IO*_er_oce_e_l

Brazing

Soldering

Adhesive Bonding

Mechanical Fastening

Cast-Insert Joining

Transient Liquid Phase

Rapid Infrared Joining

Figure 1. Classification of selected joining methods for MMC's.

4
3. FRICTION STIR WELDING OF Ai 6092/17.5 SiCp/T-6 MMC's

3.1 Background

FSW is a relatively new joining process that was originally developed and patented by The

Welding Institute (TWI) of Cambridge, England." Since 1993, FSW has been studied and demonstrated

by many researchers.3-5 However, FSW can best be described in conventional terms as a combination of

extrusion and forging of metals at elevated temperatures. The process is considered as a solid state

process, and it does not require the need for gas shielding or filler metals.

Figure 2 is a schematic describing the FSW process. FSW consists of a rotating and nonconsumable pin tool that is slowly plunged into the bond line until the pin tool's shoulder is in intimate contact

with the workpiece. As the tool rotates and moves forward along the bond line, the material at the bond

line begins to heat up, forcing it to flow around the rotating tip to consolidate on the pin tool's backside.

This heat source is developed mainly due to the local friction and plastic deformation while keeping the

pin tool's shoulder in intimate contact at all times with the workpiece. The workpieces must be securely

clamped to a backing anvil in a manner that prevents them from moving and being forced apart at the

abutting joint faces. Interestingly, FSW has the potential for welding MMC's because the processing

temperature occurs well below the metal's melting point, thereby eliminating the solidification defects

and undesirable chemical reactions. However, as with all welding processes, FSW has its advantages and

disadvantages which will be briefly reviewed in this study.

Rotationof Tool FrictionStir Welding

and VerticalForce Pinand ShoulderTool

FrictionHeated Workpiece

MetalByPinTool Workpiece

SideView

PlasticizedMetalLayerBeneath

ShoulderandAroundPinTool

Regionof Welded

MetalSeam

+ Direction

of Travel

FrontView

FrictionStir WeldingCharacteristics

Rotatingsteel pinandshouldertool friction

heatsthe abuttingfaces.As the tool movesalong

theseamline, plasticizedmetalis mechanically

stirred andweldedtogetherby forging.

Processingtemperatureoccurs well below metal

meltingpoint.

No toxic fumes,heat,andarc flashes.

Figure 2. Schematic drawing of FSW process.

5
3.2 Experimental Procedures

The pin tools used were specifically designed for this study to accommodate the 0.125-in.-thick

plates, and the tool length can be manually adjusted for variation in plate thicknesses prior to welding.

As shown in figure 3, the tools had a 0.475-in.-diameter shoulder and 10-24 unified coarse left-handed

threads on the pin. A computer simulation was used to determine the optimum pin tool length of

0.120 in. for making an optimum full-penetration weld. This pin tool was independently designed by

Robert Carter, the Co-Principal Investigator, and does not contain proprietary design information.

Figure 3. FSW in action and the pin tool's geometric design.

Due to the highly abrasive nature of this particular MMC, excessive pin tool wear was expected.

For this reason, two sets of pin tools having identical geometry but different wear-resistant coating were

applied. Both sets were fabricated from H-13 tool steel that was heat treated to 53-55 Hardness

Rockwell "C" (HRC) scale. One set was then coated with B4C to achieve a surface hardness value of

93-95 HRC. The other tool set was left uncoated. The B4 C was chosen as a coating due to its potential

for outstanding wear resistance, superior lubricity, good corrosion, and chemical resistance. The coating

was applied using a low-temperature, low-cost process. Figure 4 shows a hardness comparison of several

coating materials that were considered for this study. Furthermore, B4C coating was chosen for the

initial trials due to its low cost factor.

As shown in figure 3, FSW was performed using the Kearney & Trecker five-axis horizontal

computer numerical control milling machine that was modified for FSW. After welding, the panels were

x-rayed, and root side die-penetrated tests were performed. The welded panels were then cut and

machined into tensile specimen coupons and microstructure analysis specimens. The specimens were

tensile tested in as-welded conditions and in post heat-treated T6 conditions. The T6 condition specifications were recommended by the manufacturer and consisted of solution heat treating at 1,030 °F for 3 hr,

then water quenching. It was followed by age hardening at 325 °F for 8 hr and then air cooled.
Coating Materials HardnessValues in Rockwell "C" Scale

Diamond

Boron Carbide

Titanium Carbide

Silicon Nitride

Chromium

High-Speed Steel

100

95

9o

9o

7o

6o

Figure 4. Comparison of hardness values for candidate coating materials.

The MMC material used in this study was a 6092 A1 alloy reinforced with 17.5-percent SiC

particulate which is homogeneously distributed throughout the matrix. The material was supplied by

DWA Aluminum Composites, Inc., Chatsworth, CA, in the form of 6x12x0.125-in. plates with T6 heat

treatment condition prior to welding. Table I shows the chemical compositions of 6092 Ai alloy, and

table 2 shows some of the physical and mechanical properties which were provided by the material

supplier,6 DWA Aluminum Composites, Inc.

Table 1. Chemical compositions of 6092 Al alloy as the matrix material.

Compositions

Element (wt. %)

Silicon

Magnesium

Copper

Manganese

Chromium

Zinc

Titanium

Iron

Oxygen

Aluminum

0.4-0.8

0.8-1.2

0.7-1.0

0.15 (max.)

0.I5 (max.)

0.25 (max.)

0.I5 (max.)

0.3 (max.)

0.05-0.5

Balance

Table 2. Typical properties of 6092 A1 reinforced with 17.5-percent SiC particulate.

Property Value/Description

Material Descriptor 6092/SiC/17.5p-T6

Reinforcement Type 17.5% SiCParticulates

Density (Ib/in3)

Ultimate tensile strength (ksi)

Yield strength (ksi)

Elongation (percent)

CTE(ppm/F)

Hardness (Rockwell "B")

Temper

0.101

67

57

8

9.3

82

T-6
Table 3 lists the FSW parameters and their description that were experimentally developed for

this study to yield sound welds. These parameters were used as guidelines for FSW of MMC's. It should

be noted that these parameters were chosen for a feasibility study and have not been fully optimized.

Tool wear was monitored by measuring pin tool dimensions before and after each weld. The uncoated

tools were used in the beginning of the study to develop acceptable welding parameters and to generate

data using the chosen set of parameters. The B4C-coated tools were used in the latter part of this study to

generate data using the chosen parameters.

Table 3. Empirical parameters developed for FSW of MMC's.

FSWParameters Value Description

Travelspeed

Rotatingspeed

Leadangle

Plungedepth

Penetrationligament

4 ipm

1,350rpm

2.5 deg

0.010in.

0.005in,

Inch-per-minutehorizontalspeed

Rotatingspeedof pintool

Pintool's tiltinganglefromverticalplane

Shoulderlengthplungesbelowcrownside

Distancebetweentip of pinandbackinganvil

3.3 Results

3.3.1 Microstructure Analysis

No evidence of cracking was found within the cross-sectional view of the welds as observed by

optical microscopy at x 400. However, visual inspection easily revealed that the crown side (top side) of

the welds was quite coarse. In comparison with monolithic alloys, the crown side of a typical FSW in an

AI alloy has a highly polished, machined appearance. The welds performed with MMC material consistently gave the crown side a unique appearance_that is rernin]sc-ent 0_ what one would expect to see for a

typical surface of concrete. This coarse appearanc e was caused.= .=. =bY-_the fact that the SiC particles did not

adhere well with the AI at the surface of the weld adjacent to thg tool shoulder. It was noticed that the

anomaly was partially overcome with the use of B4C-coated tOOlS which had a higher hardness and a

lower lubricity, allowing the material to coaiesee much better. However, after only a few inches of

welding, the SiC particles were already beginning to wear the B4C off the outer edge of the tool shoulder. Once the coating was worn off, the coarseness reappeared. This coarseness appeared to be only a

surface anomaly and did not seem to have any significant influence on the tensile properties. Figure 5

shows the cross-sectional view of an FSWjoint using an uncoated pin tool.

Figure 5. Cross-sectional view of an FSWjoint for MMC's (x 10).
It was noticed that on the root side of some MMC welds, occasionally some panels were actually

"stuck" to the backing anvil after being welded. This phenomenon occurred when the material directly

beneath the pin and adjacent to the backing anvil became welded to the anvil due to the heat and extreme

pressure created by the welding process in this zone. Observations of intermittent "craters" on the root

side indicated places where material "stuck" to the backing anvil when the workpiece was removed.

Such small craters were identified using a conventional die-penetrated technique, and these defects

appeared to be very shallow surface defects which may not significantly influence the mechanical

properties of the welds. Figure 6 shows an interesting microstructure at the edge of the HAZ at x 400.

Evidently, the SiC particles were broken up by the pin tool and became smaller as they traveled toward

the center of the HAZ. Also, there was a lack of high-volume particle concentration at the edge of the

HAZ.

(a)Cross-sectionalviewof FSWjoint (Magnification:x 4). (b) Microstructureof FSWjoint (Magnification:x 400).

Figure 6. Change in SiC particle sizes and distribution at the HAZ's edge boundary.

3.3.2 Tensile Strength Measurements

In order to access the joint efficiency of these MMC welds, tensile strength was measured and

the joint efficiency was calculated as follows. Using the uncoated tool, the average ultimate tensile

strength (UTS), measured at room temperature, was 41.4 ksi when tested in the as-welded condition.

Tensile strength of 54.7 ksi was obtained when tested after heat treatment and age hardening back to the

original T6 condition. The average UTS of welds performed with B4C coated tools was 43.3 ksi when

tested in the as-welded condition and 61.9 ksi when tested in the postheat-treated T6 condition. Tables 4

and 5 show the tensile data for FSW of MMC panels using an uncoated and coated pin tool, respectively.

To evaluate the joint efficiency, the parent material's UTS was experimentally determined to be =60 ksi.

It was noted that this value is = 10 percent less than the UTS value reported in the literature. From the

experimental value of 60 ksi, the joint efficiency of 61-72 percent was achieved in the as-welded condition and 92-100 percent after heat treatment. In general, coating the pin tool does not seem to alter the

joint efficiency in comparison with an uncoated pin tool.
Table 4. MMC joint strength results using uncoated pin tool.

JointProperty As-Welded HeatTreated

Modulus(Msi) 11.13

Yieldstrength(ksi) 27.7

Tensilestrength(ksi) 41.4

2-in. elongation(%) 2.49

12,28

49.1

57.7

2.07

Table 5. MMC joint strength results using B4C-coated pin tool.

JoinlProperty As-Welded

Modulus(Msi) 10.44

Yieldstrength(ksi) 27.4

Tensilestrength(ksi) 43.5

2-in. elongation(%) 2.72

HealTreated

12.83

55.1

61.9

2.00

3.3.3 Hardness Measurements

Hardness measurement was taken across the crown side of the weld zone as shown in figure 7.

These welds were performed with B4C-coated pin tools. From the hardness measurement, it was concluded that the yield and tensile strengths were also reduced greatly in the HAZ by overheating due to

the FSW process. In general, coating of the pin tool does not seem to alter the HAZ hardness measurement profile in comparison with an uncoated pin tool. Although thermal energy is required for most

joining processes, it becomes obvious that any excessive thermal energy input is undesirable, including

FSW in this study.

3.3.4 Pin Tool Wear

The pin tool's wear was found to be most significant on the outer edge of the tool shoulder and

on the major diameter of the pin's thread form. On the average, =0.0005 in. of material was removed

from the tool shoulder per linear foot of weldment, and the pin diameter was reduced by 0.010 in./ft of

weld. This wear was manageable without manual pin tool length adjustment for weldment of =5 ft or

less. In other words, for every 5 ft of welds, the pin tool's length must be removed from the welding

head and manually adjusted for the next weld session.

10
FSW Pin To_

I PlateA

90

"" 80'

70-

60-

50-

4O

3O

0

Weld Centerline

HeatAffected Zone

Postheat

Treatment

• //

"*_ . As-Welded " "" i,#'/_"

o.2 '0.4 016 0.8 1 112

gislance (in.)

Figure 7. Hardness measurement across the HAZ.

!1
4. FSW OF FUNCTIONAL GRADIENT AI MMC TO AI-Li 2195

4.1 Background

Previous studies of several methods of joining MMC's have shown that the higher the reinforcement volume fraction the less likely for standard metal joining techniques to adapt. 7 Therefore, in order

to increase the joining adaptability by decreasing the reinforcement at the bond line, a unique joining

method was developed which was somewhat similar to the cast-insert joining (CIJ) technique as listed

in figure 1. The CIJ is a method of near net- shape casting of MMC components with built-in metallic

inserts or metallic-like materials to provide a site joining with another metal or MMC using any

conventional joining technique.8

Using the CIJ concept, several MMC plates were produced through the near net-shape pressure

infiltration process, with low reinforcement volume fraction using thin strips of "insert" material along

the welding edges of the plate as shown in figure 8. These FGM MMC plates contain up to =50-percent

SiC particulate reinforcement by volume which is uniformly distributed everywhere except near the

edges of the plate. Along these edges, the reinforcement concentration level can be made to drop to 5,

18.5, and 27 percent by using a special ceramic preform material called Saffil paper with a typical

thickness of 0.25 in. One of the objectives of this project was to investigate the feasibility of FSW these

FGM plates to A1-Li 2195.

T

4 in.

.°.0.0e.th.ss Reinforcement Material I IF-..e-,h5°.erce. SiC Reinforcement I

T

0.25 in.

:.:!.i !;ili;ili!ii!iiiiiiii i!iii ;! {; i;i;i}};.}}.iiiiii il;;i;ii!iiii i : :i:ii

12in.

Figure 8. Development of FGM for MMC plates.

12
4.2 Experimental Procedures

4.2.1 Pin Tool Geometry

From the previous study of FSW of 0.125-in.-thick MMC plates reinforced with 17.5 percent SiC

particulate, a slight modification for the pin tool geometry was performed. All pin tools were threaded

with a unified fine 20-pitch, left-handed thread with a nominal length of 0.230 in. The pin tool's

shoulder diameter was 0.738 in.

4.2.2 Welding Parameters

The nominal material thickness for all welds made was 0.250 in. The initial welding parameters

were developed based on FSW of AI-Li 2195 to AI-Li 2195 plates with identical thicknesses of 0.250 in.

By trial and error, a set of welding parameters developed for welding 2195 to 2195 were given as follows: Spindle speed--700 rpm, travel speed-_ ipm, and shoulder plunge depth--0.010 in.

4.3 Results

4.3.1 Welding Trial No. 1 (2195 to 50-Percent SiC FGM With 5-Percent Saffil Edge)

This weld was initiated using the parameters developed for welding 2195 to 2195. It was

observed that the weld was not "hot" enough, and the transverse travel speed was reduced from 4 to

3.4 ipm at ---3.5 in. into the weld in order to increase heat input and promote weld quality. Visual inspection of this weld from the crown side (.top side) appeared to be of good quality. However, the pin tool

shoulder did not plunge far enough into the material, because of the unexpected high wear-resistant

property and stiffness values from the MMC plate. It is expected that a slight adjustment of the pin tool

length and plunge depth would overcome this typical problem.

4.3.2 Welding Trial No. 2 (2195 to 50-Percent SiC FGM With 18.5-Percent Saffil Edge)

Based on the results of welding trial No. 1, new parameters were adjusted and given as follows:

Spindle speed--700 rpm, travel speed--3.5 ipm, and shoulder plunge depth--0.015 in. Visual inspection

of this weld from the crown side appeared to be of very good quality. Figure 9 is a photograph showing

the result of this welding trial.

Figure 9.

3cYJ),--"

FGM with 18.5-percent edge reinforcement welded to A1-Li 2195.

13
4.3.3 Welding Trial No. 3 (2195 to 50-Percent SiC FGM With 27-Percent Saffil Edge)

This weld was performed based on the same parameters used in weld No. 2. The beginning of the

weld had an excessive material loss due to "flash." This was caused by excessive heat input to the 2195

side of the weld and resulted in a lack of material consolidation. The speed was increased from 3.5 to

4 ipm at 1.5 in. into the weld in order to reduce the heat input to the 2195 side. At 6 in. into the weld the

pin tool broke off due to excessive loading force. It was speculated that this situation was caused by a

mismatch in the ductility or plastic zone side due to the difference in forging temperature and thermal

conductivity between the MMC and the 2195 material. Indeed, previous experiments performed at

Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) for FSW of A! to copper (Cu) were not successful. Therefore, as

dissimilar material properties become more diverse, it will become very difficult to perform a sound

FSW.

4.3.4 Welding Trial No. 4 (2195 to 50-Percent SiC With No FGM)

This weld was performed using the same parameters as weld No. 2. The weld was unsuccessful

due to very high reinforcement volume at the welding edge of the plate. In this weld the pin broke off

after only 1.5 in. of weld. Another trial was performed with a similar result: the pin tool broke off again

after <1 in. of weld. It is speculated that with the 50-percent SiC reinforcement, there is a large mismatch in the plastic zone size between the MMC and 2195 material, thus making this weld nearly

impossible. Similarly, a previous experiment performed at MSFC for FSW of A1 to Cu was not successful due to the same reasons. Therefore, as stated in the paragraph above, as dissimilar material properties

become more diverse, it will become very difficult to perform a sound FSW. Figure 10 is a photograph

showing the result of this unsuccessful welding trial without FGM.

Figure 10. Unsuccessful welding of 50-percent SiC MMC plate to A1-Li 2195.

14
5. TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT AND POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS

5.1 Performance Limitations of FSW

As with all welding processes, FSW has specific advantages and limitations for MMC's, as listed

in table 6. The FSW process may be considered as a joining method that utilizes a combination of

extrusion or forging of metals at elevated temperatures. Therefore, as dissimilar material properties

become even more diverse, it will become more difficult to perform a sound FSW.

Table 6. FSW advantages and limitations for joining MMC's.

Advantages

Operatebelow melting point to prevent undesirablechemical reactions

No solidification defects between reinforcement and metal

Perform at ambient conditions with no toxic fumes

Minimum shrinkage, distortion, and residual stress

Simple control processwithout gas shielding or filler material

PerformanceLimitations

Processportability is limited by the need for heavy and large backing anvil

Pin-tool wear may beseverefor MMC with reinforcement of >20 percent

Sound weld for AI MMCto 2195 AI alloy limited to reinforcment of <25 percent

Limiting joint strength to <65 percent due to high processing temperature

Welding MMC flat plate or large curvature surface only

The adaptability of FSW or any of the solid state joining techniques for MMC's will depend on

the volume percent amount, the types of reinforcements, and the thermal energy input from the joining

process. In this study, it was found that the FSW process for MMC's was limited to =25-percent SiC by

volume fraction. Above this value, pin tool wear resistance may become too severe. Most importantly, it

was found that a higher material properties mismatch between the MMC and the monolithic alloy to be

welded would make FSW very difficult to apply. The thermal energy created by the FSW process was

also high enough that the yield and tensile strengths were also reduced greatly in the HAZ. Historically,

FSW is applicable mainly for butt joining of flat plates. Therefore, FSW of cylindrical articles (e.g., a

flange to a duct) with diameters ranging from 2-5 in. must be fully demonstrated and compared with

other conventional joining techniques as described in figure i.

5.2 Potential Applications for MMC Flanges

5.2.1 Potential Applications

There are several MSFC ongoing activities in the development of MMC's for advanced liquid

rocket engines such as the X-33 vehicle's Aerospike and X-34's Fastrac engine.9 In most of these MMC

15
applications, it was found that FSW either cannot be applied efficiently or will not be required, with the

exception of the potential application of joining an MMC flange to an A1 duct. Figure 11 shows the

state-of-the-art fuel line flanges which are made with AI MMC's reinforced with 50-percent SiC or B4C

particulate. For reference, these typical flanges are 1.90 _n. high and have a 6.5-in. outside diameter with

a 4-in.-diameter port hole. Each of these MMC flanges would weigh =913 g. The future fuel line duct is

proposed to be either A1-Li 2195 alloy or the nanophase A1 (NPA) alloy. For this reason, the feasibility

of FSW of MMC plates to A1 2195 plates was investigated in this study as a preliminary assessment of

FSW of MMC flanges to A1 ducts. It was found that FSW was fairly good when the MMC contained

<25-percent reinforcement and it was nearly impossible to weld when the reinforcement value reached

50-percent volume fraction.

Figure 11. MMC flanges reinforced with 50-percent SiC particulate for fuel line system.

5.2.2 Functional Gradient Material

One innovative method to improve the joining process for the MMC flanges is to develop them

with FGM features in order to reduce the volume fraction at the bond line. These FGM flanges as well as

the FGM flat plates are currently being made under a Small Business Innovative Research (SB1R) phase

2 contract for MSFC with Metal Matrix Cast Composites, Inc., Waltham, MA. These FGM articles are

produced through a net-shape, pressure-infiltration process with low reinforcement volume using thin

strips of "insert" material along the welding edges. Along the bond lines, the reinforcement volume level

can be made to drop from 50 percent to 27, 18.5, and 5 percent by using a special ceramic preform

material layer called Saffil. Most importantly, FGM technology may allow other joining methods to be

used more effectively than FSW for joining of MMC flanges.

5.3 Other Potential Joining Techniques for MMC Flanges

It is speculated that if FGM is applied for the development of MMC's, it may allow other joining

methods to be used in addition to FSW for MMC flanges. Historically, FSW is applicable mainly for

butt joining of flat plates. However, cylindrical articles having small diameters of <2-5 in. have not been

fully demonstrated. There are several solid state and fusion welding techniques that may be applied for

FGM of MMC flanges, depending on the duct's material and performance requirements. If the ducts are

16
madefrom NPA,thenonly solidstateweldingtechniquescanbeappliedto maintainalow processing

temperaturefor NPA.If theductsaremadefrom anAI-Li alloy suchas2195,thenfusionwelding

processesmaybeused,dependingon theflangedesignandrequirements.Suggestionsfor solidstate

weldingtechniqueswhich maybeapplicablefor MMC flangesareinertiafriction welding(IFW) and

diffusion bonding.Suggestionsfor fusionprocessesarelistedasgasmetalarcwelding(GMAW), gas

tungstenarcwelding(GTAW),andresistancespotwelding(RSP).Theseweldingtechniquesarecapable

for weldingeitherflat platesor cylindricalarticlesthathavea smallradiusof curvature.In thisstudy,a

literaturesurveyfor weldingMMC cylindricalarticlesrevealedthat IFW andGMAW wereusedsuccessfullyin thepastfor weldingof cylindricalMMC componentsto monolithicalloys.Therefore,a

below. summaryof thepotentialweldingtechniquesthatmaybeapplicablefor NASA'sapplicationsareshown

5.3.1 Inertia Friction Welding

Interestingly, IFW has proven very successful in the past for making sound MMC joints for

cylindrical objects that have a small radius.J0-1;' It was noted that some of the welds between MMC and

monolithic AI could exhibit an excellent room-temperature joint strength of 83 percent of the value of

the composite base material. Yield strength values in cross-weld tensile of up to 90 percent of parent

material value have been obtained by IFW. In fact, the cylindrical geometry of the duct and flange to be

mated would directly allow the use of this technique with potentially very little preparation and no

speciaI tooling. Basically, the method is simply described as making one workpiece to be rotated and

keeping the other stationary. Then, the two workpieces are brought together under a compressive contacting force to form a solid state weld. IFW has been widely used for joining dissimilar materials and

exhibits ducts. several important characteristics that make it a viable candidate for welding MMC flanges and

5.3.2 Gas Metal Arc Welding

This fusion welding process can be used for low volume reinforcement of MMC. Experimental

results fi'om A/can International have shown that it was possible to weld 4-in.-diameter (10-cm) MMC

driveshafts to monolithic A] yokes for automotive applications. 13-15 It was noticed that the MMC material at 20-percent A1203 reinforcement was much easier to weld than the um'einforced AI, because this

type of reinforcement made the weld pool more viscous. Furthermore, demonstration of several seamless

tubes with wall thicknesses of 2 mm (0.08 in.) were successfully welded to foxed 6061 AI yokes. The

GMAW process with 5356 AI filler wire was used in the standard driveshaft MMC assembly fixtures for full-scale component demonstration.

17
6. CONCLUSIONS

FSW can be applied for discontinuously reinforced MMC"s when the reinforcement is <25 percent by volume. Above this level, FSW is difficult to apply due to the material's high brittleness, high

wear resistance, high stiffness, low ductility, high forging temperature, and low thermal conductivity. For

similar reasons, previous FSW experiments performed at MSFC for A1 to Cu were not successful.

The pin tool's wear was found to be excessive, even when reinforcement was limited to 17.5 percent SiC by volume, such that the pin tool's length had to be manually adjusted for every 5 ft of weld.

However, higher tool wear resistance for future materials such as tungsten-carbide, etc., must be able to

be machined and may require high fracture toughness to prevent the pin tool from breaking off due to

excessive welding force.

In this study, cost-effective B4 C coating did not work for the H-13 steel tool to prevent pin tool

wear against MMC's. High processing cost but potentially better wear-resistance coating materials such

as diamond and diamond like materials may need further investigation for FSW.

FSW has shown to release an excessive amount of thermal energy for welding MMC. Evidently,

a softening in the HAZ was observed for all of the welds in this study, which is one of the major limiting

factors for joint strength. The joint efficiency of 65 percent was achieved in the as-welded condition for

6092/SiC/20p-T6.

Historically, FSW is applicable mainly for butt joining of flat plates and of curved plates that

have a large radius of curvatures. It is speculated that below certain small values for radius of curvature

FSW may become very difficult to apply, in particular for small circular MMC flanges to cylindrical

metal ducts.

If FGM is utilized for the development of MMC's, it may allow other joining methods to be used

in addition to FSW for MMC flanges. A literature survey suggested that there are other potential welding

techniques for MMC flanges such as the 1FW and GMAW. In particular, IFW has been used successfully

for welding small cylindrical MMC components such as tubes and driveshafts for automotive

applications.

18
7. RECOMMENDATIONS

It is recommended that FGM be developed as a method to reduce the reinforcement volume at

the bond line in order to improve the joining processes for MMC flanges. FGM is an innovative material

approach that could allow other potential MMC joining methods to be used more effectively than FSW,

particularly for joining small cylindrical objects such as MMC flanges, ducts, and tubes with practical

diameters ranging from 2 to 5 in.

It is recommended that IFW, GMAW, GTAW, and RSP be developed for joining of MMC

flanges and ducts. These welding techniques are capable of welding cylindrical articles with a small

radius of curvature. A literature survey for welding MMC cylindrical articles revealed that IFW and

GMAW were used successfully and extensively in the past for welding cylindrical MMC components

such as driveshafts and thin-walled tubes to monolithic alloys.

It is recommended that higher pin tool wear-resistant materials or coatings be developed for

MMC's with >25-percent reinforcement. However, high wear-resistant pin tool materials must also

exhibit the ability to machine well and have good fracture toughness to prevent breaking off under high

FSW welding force.

It is recommended that FSW of cylindrical articles such as MMC flanges to A1 ducts, with

realistic NASA propulsion hardware applications for practical diameters ranging from 2-5 in., be fully

demonstrated and compared with other proven MMC joining techniques for cylindrical articles.

I9
REFERENCES

. Lee, J.A.: "Section: 1.2.8.4 Joining Methods for MMC," In: Metal Matrix Composite Handbook, to

be published by the Department of Defense.

2. Thomas, W.M.; et al." "Friction Stir Welding," U.S. Patent 5,460,317.

3. Dawes, C.J.; and Thomas, W.M.: "Friction Stir Process Welds Aluminum Alloys," Welding Journal,

pp. 41-45, March 1996.

4. Midling, O.T.; "Material Flow Behavior & Microstructural Integrity of Friction Stir Butt

Weldments," Fourth Inter. Conf. Aluminum Alloys, pp. 451-458, September 1994.

5. Rhodes, C.G.; Mahoney, M.W.; et al.: " Effects of Friction Stir Welding on Microstructure of

7075 Al," Script. Metall., Voi. 36, pp. 69-75, 1997.

6. Database provided by Mark van den Bergh from DWA Aluminum Composites, Inc.

,

.

Lee, J.A.: "Technology Assessment of Commercial Joining Techniques for MMC, " 21st Conf. on

Composites, Materials and Structures, Cocoa Beach, FL, January 27-31, 1997.

Lee, J.A.; and Kashalika, U.: "Casting of Weldable Gr/Mg MMC with Built-in Metallic Inserts,"

NASA Conf. 3249, Voll 1, p. 371, Anaheim, December 7-9, 1993.

9. Lee, J.A." "Potential Applications of Al MMC for NASNs Advanced Propulsion Systems,"

23rd Conf. on Composites, Materials and Structures, Cocoa Beach, FL, January 25, 1998.

10. Gittos, M.; and Threadgill, P.: "Joining Aluminum Alloy MMC," Bulletin 5, TWI J., pp. 104-105,

September/October 1992.

11. Abeam, J.S.; and Cooke, D.C.: "Joining Discontinuous SiC Reinforced A1 Composites," Martin

Marietta Co., Report: NSWC-TR-86-36, September 1, 1985.

12. Cola, M.J.; et al.: "Inertia Friction Welding of Aluminum 6061-T6/A1203 MMC," Research Report

MR9108, Edison Welding Institute, June 1991.

13. Altshuiler, B.; Christy, W.; and Wiskel, B.: "GMA Welding of Al-Alumina MMC,'" Weldability of

Materials, ASM International, pp. 305-309, Materials Park, OH, 1990.

2O
14. Lienert,T.; Lane,C.;andGould, J.:"SelectionandWeldabilityof A1 MMC," ASM Handbook,

Vol. 6, pp. 555-559, Materials Park, OH, 1995.

15. Schwartz, M.M.: "Joining of Composite Matrix Materials," ASM hlternational, pp. 98-100,

Materials Park, OH, 1995.

21
Form Approved

REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE OMBNo.0704-0188

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is eslirnated 1oaverage 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources,

gathering and maintaining the data needed, and compleling and reviewing the collection of information Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this

collection of information, including suggestions for reducing Ihis burden, Io Washington Headquarters Services, Direclorate ier Information Operation and Repods, 1215 Jefferson

Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington, VA 22202-4302, and to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (0704-0188), Washington, DC 20503

1. AGENCY USE ONLY (Leave Blank) 2. REPORT DATE 3. REPORT TYPE AND DATES COVERED

December 1999 Technical Memorandum

4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 5. FUNDING NUMBERS

Friction Stir Welding for Aluminum Metal Matrix Composites

(MMC's)

(MSFC Center Director's Discreli0nar_' Ft, nd Final Report, Pro iect No. 98-09)

6. AUTHORS

J.A. Lee, R.W. Carter, and J. Ding

7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAMES(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)

George C. Marshall Space Flight Center

Marshall Space Flight Center, Alabama 35812

9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Washington, DC 20546-0001

8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION

REPORT NUMBER

M-953

10. SPONSORING/MONITORING

AGENCY REPORT NUMBER

NASA/TM--1999-209876

11. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

Prepared for Materials Processes and Manufacturing Department, Engineering Directorate

12a. DISTRIBUTION/AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

Unclassified-Unlimited

Subject Category 29

Nonstandard Distribution

12b. DISTRIBUTION CODE

13, ABSTRACT (Maximum 200 words)

This technical memorandum describes an investigation of using fi'iction stir welding (FSW) process for

joining a variety of aluminunl metal matrix composites (MMC's) reinforced with discontinuous siliconcarbide (.SIC) particulate and functional gradient materials. Preliminary results show that FSW is feasible [o

weld aluminum MMC to MMC or to aluminum-lithium 2195 if the SiC reinforcement is <25 percent by

volume fraction. However, a softening in the heat-affected zone was observed and is known to be one of the

major limiting factors for joint strength. The pin tool's material is made fi'om a low-cost steel tool H-13

material, and the pin tool's wear was excessive such that the pin tool length has to be manually adjusted for

every 5 ft of weldment. Initially, boron-carbide coating was developed for pin tools, but it did not show a

significant improvement in wear resistance. Basically, FSW is applicable mainly for butt joining of flat

plates. Therefore, FSW of cylindrical articles such as a flange to a duct with praclical diameters ranging

from 2-5 in. must be fully demonstrated and compared with other proven MMC joining techniques for

cylindrical articles.

14. SuBJEcT TERMS

friction stir welding, metal matrix cornposiles, silicon-carbide, functional gradient materials,

wear-resistant coating, ah|rnint, na-lithium 2195, flanges, ducts, pin tool,.joining technologies

17. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION 18. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION 19. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

OF REPORT OF THIS PAGE OF ABSTRACT

Unclassified Unclassified Unclassified

NSN 7540-01-280-5500

i15, NUMBER OF PAGES

28

16. PRICE CODE

A03

20. LIMITATION OF ABSTRAC'T

Unlimited

Standard Form 298 (Rev. 2-89)

Prescribed byANSI Std 239-18

298-102