Effect of Intermetallic Compounds on Friction Weldability of Aluminum Alloys to S25C Carbon Steel

Aluminum alloys to S25C carbon steel were friction welded, and the friction weldability and intermetallic formations at the weld interface of joints were investigated. Joints of A1050, A5052, A6061 and A6063 to S25C showed good-weldability, and A5056/S25C joint was somewhat poor than former one. An intermetallic compound of Al13Fe4 was formed at the weld interface of A5056/S25C and A6061/S25C joints, and their intermetallic formations were tend to increase with friction pressure, friction time and rotation speed. The joint strength of these joints was high when thin instermetallic conpound layer was formed under high upset pressure. Somewhat poor-weldability of A5056/S25C joint compared with A6061/S25C joint seemed a cause of the intermetallic formation accelated by high content of magnesium in A5056. Joints of A2011, A2017, A2024 and A7075 to S25C showed poor-weldability. Brittle intermetallic compounds of CuAl2 and Al7Cu2Fe were formed at the weld interface of A2011/S25C joint containing a copper.