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Computer Tomography 3-D Imaging of the Metal Deformation Flow Path in Friction Stir WeldingIn friction stir welding, a rotating threaded pin tool is inserted into a weld seam and literally stirs the edges of the seam together. This solid-state technique has been successfully used in the joining of materials that are difficult to fusion weld such as aluminum alloys. To determine optimal processing parameters for producing a defect free weld, a better understanding of the resulting metal deformation flow path is required. Marker studies are the principal method of studying the metal deformation flow path around the FSW pin tool. In our study, we have used computed tomography (CT) scans to reveal the flow pattern of a lead wire embedded in a FSW weld seam. At the welding temperature of aluminum, the lead becomes molten and thus tracks the aluminum deformation flow paths in a unique 3-dimensional manner. CT scanning is a convenient and comprehensive way of collecting and displaying tracer data. It marks an advance over previous more tedious and ambiguous radiographic/metallographic data collection methods.
Document ID
20040161422
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
Authors
Schneider, Judy
(Mississippi State Univ. Mississippi State, MS, United States)
Beshears, Ronald
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Nunes, Arthur C., Jr.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
August 22, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2004
Subject Category
Metals And Metallic Materials
Meeting Information
Meeting: 3D Materials Science Symposium of the MS&T Conference
Location: New Orleans, LA
Country: United States
Start Date: September 26, 2004
End Date: September 29, 2004
Sponsors: Minerals, Metals and Materials Society
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG8-1859
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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