Fatigue strength of friction-welded joints of aluminum bronze to stainless steel

Abstract

Friction welding of C6191 aluminum bronze to SUS304L stainless steel was carried out to examine its weldability. Joint strength was evaluated by fatigue strength. The C6191 and the SUS304L at the weld interface were hardened, while the heat affected zone of the SUS304L was slightly softened. A reaction layer of 1–5 μm that consisted of component elements of the base metals was observed at the weld interface. The fatigue limit of the joint welded under the optimum welding condition was higher than those of the base metals because of the hardening of C6191 and SUS304L, and the fatigue limit of joints decreased as the friction time or the upset pressure varied. In particular, the fatigue strength of joints welded under the conditions varied the upset pressure which was lower than that of the C6191 base metal.