Thesis (M.S.)--University of Missouri--Rolla, 2007. / Vita. The entire thesis text is included in file. Title from title screen of thesis/dissertation PDF file (viewed February 5, 2008) Includes bibliographical references (p. 29-31).

Thesis (M.S.)--Brigham Young University. School of Technology, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 57-59).

Thesis (M.S.)--Brigham Young University. School of Technology, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 57-59).

Thesis (M.S.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 37-39).

Thesis (M.S.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 91-95).

Thesis (M.S.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 27-28).

Mechanical fasteners are used extensively in the joining of two or more metal plates or sheets. Riveted joints have been the joints of choice mainly for the Aerospace Industry. However for this research, Friction Hydro Pillar Processing has been used to develop and characterise a new riveting technique termed Friction Hydro Pillar Riveting (FHPR). Two overlapping 3.17 mm Ti-6Al-4V sheets were joined together using Ø6 mm rivet which was friction processed. This research has focussed on the initial development of Friction Hydro Pillar Riveting thereby establishing a basic understanding of the influences of main process parameters, rotational speed and axial force - and also joint configurations. The results showed that with a decrease in the bottom hole chamfer angle, there was resulting overall increase in the rivet joint pull off strength. From the best performing joint configuration in pull off tests, shear tests were conducted whilst a blind hole FHPR joint was also done and tested in pull off and shear strength. The shear test fracture surfaces exhibited ductile failure. The microstructure of the joints was thus evaluated. From parent material, heat affected zone and to weld zone there was a variation in the microstructure analysed. The hardness profiles showed increased hardness in the weld zone which partly explained the shear results. The hardness increase was mainly due to grain refinement in the weld zone by the Friction Hydro Pillar Riveting process.

Friction Stir Spot Welding (FSSW) has been developed from the conventional Friction Stir Welding (FSW) process, developed at The Welding Institute (TWI). FSSWs have been done without the keyhole being eliminated. Elimination of the keyhole would result in the process being more commercially viable. This dissertation focuses on an attempt of eliminating the keyhole using a retractable pin tool as well as a comparison of the weld integrity of a FSSW to that of a conventional Resistance Spot Weld (RSW). Welds were conducted on aluminium alloy 6063 T4. Comparisons between different weld procedures were done. Further analysis of the weld integrity between FSSW and RSW were conducted, comparing tensile strengths, microstructure and hardness. For the above welding procedure to take place, the current retractable pin tool, patented by PE Technikon, was redesigned. Problems associated during the welding process and the results obtained are documented. Reasons for the keyhole not being eliminated as well as recommendations for future work in the attempt to remove the keyhole are discussed.

Friction stir welding is a relatively new joining process. The heat transfer involved is crucial in determining the quality of the weld. Experimenrtal data, though important, does not provide enough information about the heat transfer process and experiments can be costly and time consuming. A numerical model, using the finite element method, was developed to stimulate the heat transfer in the workpiece in which the heat generation due to friction and plastic deformation was modelled as a surface heat flux boundary condition. This model was applied to Aluminium AL6082-T6 and Titanium Ti6A1-4V for different welding condiitions. Results were validated with experimental results. The model was shown to give better predictions of the maximum temperatures at locations in the workpiece than the overall temperature trend. A parametric study was also performed on the Aluminium model in order o predict temperature fields of the workpiece for welding conditions that were additional to those undertaken experimentally. It was found that rotational speed had a larger effect on the change in temperature than the feed rate. From the parametric study it was also clear that lower rotational speeds (300 to 660 rpm) had a greater effect on the change in temperature than the higher rotational speeds (840 to 1200 rpm). It was concluded that the model was well suited for the estimation of temperatures involved in the FSw of Aluminium Al6082-T6 but was not as accurate when applied to the FSW of Titanium.

The linear friction welding process is currently commercially used solely to produce titanium alloy aeroengine bladed disks (blisks). The process can, however, be potentially used to produce welds in non-aeroengine materials for non-aeroengine applications. The aim of this thesis was therefore to demonstrate the capabilities of the process to join materials not commonly used in the aeroengine industry and to develop understanding of the process. The focus of this thesis has been on the linear friction welding of 316L stainless steel and the linear friction welding of dissimilar materials: aluminium to copper, aluminium to magnesium and aluminium to steel. For all of these studies it was seen that weld line and near weld line microstructure could be altered by the use of different welding parameters. This property of linear friction welding was used to advantage to optimise microstructures in dissimilar welds. Intermetallic formation is usually a major challenge to the achievement of welds with good mechanical properties, and for work in this thesis welding parameters were optimised to allow welds with limited intermetallic formation. The welding of 316L and the dissimilar welding of aluminium to copper proved viable. For the welding of 316L and aluminium to copper, fracture during tensile testing occurred in the parent material (aluminium parent material for aluminium to copper). The welding of aluminium to magnesium and aluminium to steel showed promising results, with weld strength comparable to the aluminium parent material for aluminium to steel and comparable to the parent materials in O temper for aluminium to magnesium. However, repeatability of mechanical properties was poor for these dissimilar welds, which would be a significant barrier to commercial exploitation. Further work needs to be conducted to improve repeatability. Weld microstructures were characterised using optical and scanning electron microscopy as well as electron backscatter diffraction and X-ray diffraction techniques.