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Fatigue testing of 2198 T8 FSW aluminum alloy with and without LoP defect

Michael Papadopoulos (Department of Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics, University of Patras, Patras, Greece)
Spiros Pantelakis (Department of Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics, University of Patras, Patras, Greece)

International Journal of Structural Integrity

ISSN: 1757-9864

Article publication date: 14 August 2017

137

Abstract

Purpose

The Lack of Penetration (LoP) defect is one of the flaws that can be generated during the friction stir welding (FSW) process. Depending on the size, the depth and the severity of the LoP defect, it is possible that it is hardly detectable by optical inspection or other NDT methods. Whether detectable or not, this defect may lead to a significant degradation of the fatigue properties of the welded material, as the improperly welded zone can act as a fracture initiation site. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

In this experimental investigation, an attempt is made to assess and compare the fatigue behavior of FSW aluminum joints with and without the LoP defect.

Findings

It was found that the LoP defect affects the fatigue behavior of the welded material at high stress levels whereas the effect diminishes with decreasing stress levels.

Originality/value

Depending on the design stress levels, the LoP defect may dominate fracture and thus, the welding parameters should be carefully selected so as to avoid such defect.

Keywords

Citation

Papadopoulos, M. and Pantelakis, S. (2017), "Fatigue testing of 2198 T8 FSW aluminum alloy with and without LoP defect", International Journal of Structural Integrity, Vol. 8 No. 4, pp. 496-504. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSI-04-2016-0015

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited

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