Microstructure and Texture Analyses of Similar Welded Industrially Relevant Materials through Friction Stir Welding: D6AC Steel, AISI 316L Steel and Ti-6Al-4V Alloy

In this project, microstructural and textural analyses of similar welded industrially relevant materials (D6AC steel, AISI-316L steel and Ti-6Al-4V) by friction stir welding is studied. Initially similar friction stir welding of D6AC steel and AISI-316L steel is performed using PCBN tool whereas similar plates of Ti-6Al-4V were welded using W-La tool. All welds are mechanically characterized by tensile strength, hardness measurement and microstructural studies are carried out using optical microscopy and EBSD analysis.\ud In case of D6AC steel, defect free welds are obtained with welding parameters of rotation speed 1100 RPM and welding speeds of 40mm/min and 20 mm/min. Microstructural characterization indicated formation of lath martensite in stir zone. Ultimate tensile strengths of these welded plates are higher than the base material with an increase in hardness (approximately three times of base metal) in the nugget zone