Thermal Stability of Microstructure on Heat Treatment of Friction Stir Welded AA2014-T651 Aluminum Joints
摘要
The effect of heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of AA2014-T651 aluminum alloy joints produced by friction stir welding was studied. Friction stir welding is performed using a triangular probe tool at two different tool rotational speed of 1000 and 1400 rpm. During welding a constant welding speed of 63 mm/min is maintained at both tool rotational speeds. It has been established that friction stir welding leads to a significant refinement of the microstructure and partial dissolution of strengthening precipitates. The welded joints were heat treated at temperatures of 573, 673, 773 and 823 K for one hour. Re-precipitation and precipitate coarsening were observed during heat treatment. It has been shown that increasing the tool rotational speed significantly increases the thermal stability of the microstructure, practically without causing abnormal grain growth in the weld.