Analysis of the heat generation in FSSW of steels with pinless tools
By David Andrade (University of Coimbra), Carlos Leitão (University of Coimbra), Narges Dialami (CIMNE), Michele Chiumenti (CIMNE), Dulce Rodrigues (University of Coimbra)

In Friction Stir Welding (FSW) and Friction Stir Spot Welding (FSSW) the use of pinless tools has the advantage of preventing the pin damage and wear, which is one of the most important limitations in the welding of high melting point alloys. In present work, the heat generation during similar FSSW of a varied range of carbon steels, with pinless tools, was studied. Welds with different tool shoulder diameters and tool rotational speeds were produced, to assess the influence of each of these important FSSW parameters on heat generation. Due to the complexity of the FSSW process, Comet software was used to model and understand the physical phenomena governing the thermochemical conditions developed during welding. Numerical and experimental results are compared and discussed.