TWI

An investigation is presented into the joint efficiency and tensile properties of welded joints in various structural aluminium alloys prepared by friction stir welding (FSW), looking at the effects of compositional differences in the parent metals and variations in the FSW process, and the results are compared with those obtained using MIG welding. The experimental specimens comprised plates (thickness 8 mm) of 5083-O (Al, 4.65%Mg), 6N01-T5 (6005: Al, 0.44-0.68%Mg, 0.55-0.62%Si) and 7N01-T5 (7204: Al, 4.18-4.49%Zn, 1.06-1.39%Mg, 0.38-0.64%Mn) aluminium alloys. FSW was performed in a square-butt geometry under different process conditions. Test pieces were cut at 50-330 mm from the weld start. A tensile test method conforming to the ISO 4136 standard was employed to measure proof strength, ultimate tensile strength and elongation; effects of Si and Mg content were determined The mechanical properties are discussed in relation to the hardness distribution in the stir zone and HAZ.

6th International Symposium, 10-13 Oct 2006, Session 9A: Properties, Paper 01