Product Code: ICAL08_1803

Welding of Aerospace Aluminium Alloys using FSW and LBW
Authors:
Joaquín Vázquez, Aimen; Porrino Spain
Ambroise Vandewynckèle, Aimen; Porrino Spain
Eva Vaamonde, Aimen; Porri Spain
Daniel Gesto, Aimen; Porri Spain
Presented at ICALEO 2008

The important joint requirements in the aeronautical sector has encouraged companies to investigate new approaches for aircraft design, in the fields of materials and joining technologies. However aluminium alloys still have a wide range of use in the aerospace industry due to its high strength to weight ratio. As a consequence nowadays interest is focused on new welding technologies as an alternative to mechanical joints. The aim of this work is to study the use of different welding processes for joining AA2024 T3 and AA7075 T6 which are commonly used in the aeronautical industry. The possibilities of Laser Beam Welding and Friction Stir Welding were investigated compared to the use of arc welding processes. The main advantage of LBW is that its low heat input permits to reduce distortion, whereas FSW, as a solid state welding process, reduces the occurrence of metallurgical defects. For each process, trials were performed in several joint geometries. The parameters were adjusted to obtain free of cracking joints, with low distortion and optimum mechanical properties. Fatigue behaviour of butt joints was also investigated. Finally, demonstration components were welded using the developed welding procedures.