Three-Dimensional Numerical Model Considering Phase Transformation in Friction Stir Welding of Steel

A three-dimensional (3D) thermo-mechanical model is developed considering the phase transformation occurring during the friction stir welding (FSW) of steel, and the simulated result is compared with both the measured temperature distribution during FSW and the microstructural changes after FSW. The austenite grain size (AGS) decreases significantly because of the frictional heat and severe plastic deformation generated during FSW, and the decreased AGS accelerates the diffusional phase transformation during FSW. The ferrite phase, one of the diffusional phases, is developed mainly in mild steel, whereas the bainite phase transformation occurs significantly in high-strength steel with large hardenability. Additionally, transformation-induced heat is observed mainly in the stir zone during FSW. The measured temperature distribution and phase fraction agree fairly well with the predicted data.