In this study, the effect of asymmetric microstructure on fracture behaviour of friction stir welded joints of 2024-O aluminium alloy under cyclical load was investigated via optical microscopes, electron backscattering diffraction, microhardness and infrared thermography, and digital imaging correlation (DIC). The results demonstrate that the thermo-mechanical affected zone (TMAZ) at retreating side possesses a relatively higher fraction of low-angle grain boundaries and coincidence site lattice boundaries in comparison to that at the advancing side (AS), which results in the strain localisation and fracture path along the region between nugget zone and TMAZ at the AS under cyclical load. The profile of microhardness presents the asymmetric characteristic as well. The temperature evolution of the joint obtained by infrared camera is in good agreement with strain distribution measured by DIC. The thermography proves to be generally sufficient to predict the fracture path before failure under cyclical load.
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