I am using a Tungsten-based tool to friction stir weld aluminum sheets. The material sticks to the tool after welding and it is difficult to get rid of it. Can anyone suggest cleaning strategies for the tool?
You can use glass bead sandblasting. This relatively soft abrasive powder will not wear out hard wolfram but will erode soft aluminum.
It is also quite simple to chemically remove aluminum from tungsten: aluminum dissolves perfectly in hydrochloric and sulfuric acids, and tungsten does not react with these acids.
Greetings to you. You can remove aluminium by dipping in hydrochloric or sulphuric acid. Better to use coolant during FSW process to avoid the material getting struct in the tool.