TWI

An experimental study of friction stir welding (FSW) to join 2017A-T6 with 7075-T6 and 6013 aluminium alloys, by applying different welding parameters and conditions, was performed with the aim of analysing the microstructures and properties of the joints. The alloys (6 mm thickness) had compositions 2017A-T6 (Al, 3.9%Cu, 0.6%Mg, 0.6%Mn, 0.4%Si, 0.2%Fe), 7075-T6 (Al, 5.7%Zn, 1.6%Cu, 2.5%Mg, 0.1%Mn, 0.4%Si, 0.2%Fe) and 6013 (Al, 1.1%Cu, 1.0%Mg, 0.7%Mn, 0.8%Si, 0.3%Fe). Butt welds were made at room temperature and around minus 10 deg.C and some 2017A/7075 samples were artificially aged at 150 deg.C and 2017A/6013 samples aged at 160 deg.C, for 8 h. Travel speeds and rotational speeds were varied. Microstructures of the samples were investigated in the as-welded and artificially aged conditions using light microscopy and SEM. Tensile tests were conducted to determine tensile strength and fracture surfaces . Hardness profiles were measured at a cross-section 2.5 mm from the weld face. TEM observations were also performed on samples cut from the weld centre.

8th International Symposium, 18-20 May 2010, Session 4B: Metallurgy, Paper 01