Parameter investigation and optimization of friction stir welded AA6061/TiO₂ composites through TLBO

This paper explicates the joining of AA 6061/TiO₂ composites by the friction stir welding (FSW) process. FSW experiments were conducted as per the three factors, three-level, central composite ivy– face-centered design method. Mathematical relationships between the FSW process parameters, namely tool geometry, welding speed, and tool rotational speed, and the output responses such as hardness, yield strength, and ultimate tensile strength were established using response surface methodology. Adequacies of established models were assessed through the analysis of variance method. Further, the paper elucidates the application of the teaching–learning-based optimization (TLBO) algorithm to identify the optimal values of input variables and to obtain an FSW joint with superior mechanical properties. The optimized experimental condition obtained from the TLBO yields an FSW joint with a UTS of 174 MPa, yield strength of 120 MPa, and hardness of 126HV. The study revealed that the result of the TLBO algorithm matched the findings of the FSW experiments.