Abstract
The Friction Stir Welding (FSW) has mainly been used for making butt joints in Al alloys. The development of Friction Stir Lap Welding (FSLW) would expand the number of applications. In this study, microstructures and mechanical properties of FSLW in A5052 alloy were investigated under varying rotating speed and probe length. Investigating the characteristics as FSLWed conditions were as below ; Failure Maximum load by shear fracture was increased proportional to the width of joint area, which was increased by input heat, stirring intensity in the case of 2.3 mm probe length. Tensile fracture occurred, and maximum load was determined due to side worm hole of joint area and softening of microstructure in the case of 3.0 mm probe length. In the case of 3.7 mm probe length, material hook and bottom worm hole were appeared at the end interface of joint area. The most sound FSLW condition with no defects was 3.0 mm probe length and 1500 rpm-100 mm/min. No defects were showed in 1500 rpm-100 mm/min and 1800 rpm-100 mm/min, but Vickers microhardness distribution in TMAZ/HAZ which was fracture zone was lower in 1800 rpm-100 mm/min than in 1500 rpm-100 mm/min. In this condition highest tensile strength, 215 MPa (allowable rate 78% of joint efficient) was obtained.