Establishing a Mathematical Model to Predict the Tensile Strength of Friction Stir Welded Pure Copper Joints

This investigation was undertaken to predict the tensile strength of friction stir welded pure copper. Response surface methodology based on a central composite rotatable design with four welding parameters, five levels, and 31 runs was used to conduct the experiments and to develop the mathematical regression model by means of Design-Expert software. Four welding parameters considered were tool profile design, rotational speed, welding speed, and axial force. Analysis of variance was applied to validate the predicted model. Confirmation experiments including microstructural characterization and conducted tensile tests showed that developed models are reasonably accurate. The results showed that the joints welded using the square and triangular tools had higher tensile strength compared to the joints welded using other tools. The increase in tool rotational speed, welding speed, and axial force resulted in increasing the tensile strength of the joints up to a maximum value. Also, the developed model showed that the optimum parameters to get a maximum of tensile strength were rotational speed, welding speed, and axial force of 942 rpm, 84 mm/min, and 1.62 kN, respectively.