Abstract
In this paper, the finite element method was used for the flow and strength analysis of aluminum alloy under friction stir welding. The simulations were carried out using Sysweld s/w, and the modeling of the sheet was executed using Unigraphics NX6 s/w. The welding variables for the analysis were the shoulder diameter, rotating speed, and welding speed of the tool. Additionally, a three-way factorial design method was applied to confirm the effect of the welding variables on the flow and strength analysis with variance analysis. From these results, the rotating speed had the greatest influence on the maximum temperature, and the maximum temperature was $578.84{\pm}12.72$ at a confidence interval of 99%. The greater the rotating speed and shoulder diameter, the greater the difference between maximum and minimum temperature. Furthermore, the shoulder diameter had the largest influence on von Mises stress, and the von Mises stress was $184.54{\pm}12.62$ at a confidence interval of 99%. In addition to the increased shoulder diameter, welding speed, and rotating speed of the tool increased the von Mises stress.
