An investigation on microstructure and mechanical properties of post-weld heat-treated friction stir welds in aluminum alloy 2024-W

Abstract

The present work describes the results obtained from microstructural and mechanical evaluation of post-weld heat treated friction stir welds of 2024 aluminum alloys in the W temper state. Post-weld heat treatments have been carried out at 510 °C for 2.5 h followed by ageing at room temperature for 6 months, at 100 °C and 190 °C for 10 h, and by cooling in static air (O-temper). The solution treatment caused abnormal coarsening of the grains in the stir zone, which resulted in a drop in microhardness. The strength of the as-welded joint was significantly incrased by post weld heat treatments. The maximum hardness and strength values were obtained in T6 (190 °C, 10 h) treated joint. However, the T6 (190 °C, 10 h) treated joint had the lowest ductility. On the other hand, the tensile properties of the post-weld heat treated joints were far lower than those of the unwelded base materials in the same temper states. In addition, the post-weld heat treatments did not significantly change the fracture locations of the friction stir welds.