Effect of Heat Input on the Mechanical Behaviour of Al-Cu FSW Lap Joints

Dissimilar Al-Cu joints are desirable due to the combination of the good electrical and thermal properties of copper with the economic advantages of aluminium. However, different chemical, mechanical and thermal properties turn dissimilar welding into a challenge with traditional fusion welding techniques. Friction stir welding appears to be a good alternative to welding dissimilar materials. Most of the works in Al-Cu FSW have been performed with Al on top. This work investigates the influence of heat input on the shear strength of aluminium-copper lap joints produced by FSW with a copper over aluminium lap configuration. Welds produced with the ω/ν rate of 200 rev.mm-1 or 500 rev.mm-1 resulted in the melting of the base materials and material leaking. Joints with shear tensile strength varying from 76 to 85% of the original resistance of AA6060 T5 were produced when the ω/ν rate was varied from 80 to 110 rev.mm-1. The fracture was governed by tension overload on the aluminium sheet, resulting in little influence of welding defects, such as tunnelling, on the joint strength.