TWI Digital Library

Friction stir welding (FSW) is broadly recognized as an efficient solid-state welding technology to join light metal alloys and is worth considering expanding its technological benefits for joining materials with different chemical compositions and properties. However, the joining of dissimilar materials such as Al-Ti structures is accompanied with several difficulties such as the formation of intermetallic phases and grain coarsening deteriorating materials strength and ductility. In the current study, sheets of 1.5 mm thick Ti-6Al-4Vand 2 mm thick EN AW 7075 alloys were friction stir welded in a butt configuration. Following this, weld mechanical properties and metallurgical characterization were assessed by applying tensile testing as well as optical and scanning electron microscopy. Apart from that, the effects of post-weld heat treatments on the mechanical properties were analyzed. Impressive weld strengths were achieved thus making the FSW technology a very promising candidate for future aerospace applications.

13th International Symposium, 21-23 May 2024, Session 4: Performance, Paper 01