Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of AA5086 Aluminum Alloy by Friction Stir Welding

Abstract

The present study describes the influence of the welding speed on the microstructure and mechanical properties of 5086 aluminum alloy joints fabricated by friction stir welding. The joints were welded at a constant rotation speed of 100 rpm and different welding speeds ranging from 63 to 100 mm/min. The experimental results revealed that the nugget size decreases with increasing the welding speed. Although all of the identified particles in the parent alloy appeared in the WNZ and HAZ areas at the welding speed of 63 mm/min, the number and size of the particles of each type present at these areas were different. Additionally, at higher welding speeds of 80 and 100 mm/min, the particles conditions were different as opposed to the welding speed of 63 mm/min. The hardness profile of weldments was roughly homogeneous with minimal fluctuations with increasing the welding speed. The tensile strength increased with increasing the welding speed from 63 to 100 mm/min. The joint ductility showed a behavior similar to the tensile strength.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.mech.22.1.12677