Abstract
This research investigates the influence of friction stir spot welding (FSSW) process parameters on friction stir spot welded aluminium 5083-H116 alloy properties. Various characterisation techniques were applied such as optical microscope and scanning electron microscope, the microhardness profile was used to determine the hardness profile, while X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to determine the phase formation. The electrochemical potentiodynamic polarisation technique was utilised to determine the corrosion behaviour. Based on the findings obtained, the process parameters were found to play a significant role in the microstructural evolution. It was established that the structural, mechanical, corrosion and metallurgical properties were significantly improved compared to the base metal in this research work. It was revealed that the lowest corrosion rate was obtained at a rotational speed of 900 rpm and dwell time of 15 s, respectively. It was also revealed that the welded samples crystallinity was improved from the XRD analysis compared to the base metal. The highest hardness profile was obtained at the stir zone of the welded area. The highest hardness value was achieved at the stir zone of the sample produced at a rotational speed of 900 rpm with an average hardness value of 112.62 HV.