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D.H. Lammlein PhD Dissertation - Vanderbilt University

D.H. Lammlein PhD Dissertation - Vanderbilt University

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new FSW process environment is resource intensive. CFD models provide a quick and<br />

effective means of evaluating an FSW process situation prior to making an actual weld.<br />

Future Work<br />

The cylindrical and spherical weld geometries presented required a circular weld<br />

path. The circular weld path resulted in a secondary heating effect which was<br />

exacerbated by the small radius of the work and correspondingly reduced conduction<br />

lengths within the work. The sum of these effects resulted in a significant increase in<br />

temperature throughout each experimental weld. This steady increase in temperature<br />

during the weld cycle is undesirable as the properties of the welded material will vary<br />

according to temperature around the circumference of the weld. It is desirable to reach a<br />

welding temperature at some point early in the weld and maintain this temperature<br />

throughout the weld. This can be achieved by either a reduction in the rotational velocity<br />

of the tool, an increase in the traverse rate of the tool, or by the implementation of a heat<br />

dissipation system.<br />

A reduction in tool rotational velocity or an increase in traverse rate will generally<br />

result in a reduction in the power input at the weld seam and the rate of heat dissipation<br />

into the tool and work. If a particular FSW process and environment is well<br />

characterized, then a predetermined reduction in weld power can be programmed into the<br />

weld cycle. This solution is simple and effective but requires prior knowledge of how the<br />

FSW process environment will behave thermally.<br />

A thermal (or temperature) based feedback control system could alternatively be<br />

implemented which adjusts weld parameters in real time in response to a measured<br />

temperature exceeding the desired value. This sort of system would require an<br />

instrument which provides real time temperature data to the weld controller. One<br />

example of this would be a thermal camera calibrated to the emissivity of the tool shank.<br />

The thermal camera computer could then send live temperature data from the region of<br />

interest on the tool shank to the weld controller. Another example would be a<br />

thermocouple in the tool or in the work.<br />

209

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