Mechanical properties of friction stir welded armor grade Al–Zn–Mg alloy joints

The influence of different welding speeds and rotary speeds on the formation and mechanical properties of friction stir weld joints of armor grade aluminum alloy was presented. The developed weld joints were characterized by bend tests, micro-hardness tests, tensile tests, optical and scanning electron microscopies. Mechanical properties (i.e., micro-hardness, ultimate tensile strength and elongation to fracture) increased with the increase in rotary speed or decrease in welding speed. The effect of welding speed on micro-hardness of heat affected zones was more profound than the rotary speeds. The welding speeds and rotary speeds influenced the mechanical properties and their effects on various mechanical properties of the friction stir welded joints can be predicted with the help of regression models.     

Microstructural characteristics and mechanical properties of Al–Mg–Si alloy self-reacting friction stir welded joints

The 5?mm thick Al–Mg–Si alloy was self-reacting friction stir welded using the specially designed tool at a constant rotation speed of 400?rev?min^?1 with various welding speeds. Defect-free welds were successfully obtained with welding speeds ranging from 150 to 350?mm?min^?1, while pore defects were formed in the weld nugget zone (WNZ) at a welding speed of 450?mm?min^?1. Band patterns were observed at the advancing side of WNZ. Grain size and distribution of the precipitated phase in different regions of the joints varied depending on the welding speed. The hardness of the weld was obviously lower than that of the base metal, and the lowest hardness location was in the heat affected zone (HAZ). Results of transverse tensile tests indicated that the defective joint fractured in the WNZ with the lowest tensile strength, while the fracture location of the defect-free joints changed to the HAZ.     

Microstructures and mechanical properties of friction stir welded joints of Zr–Ti alloy

Zirconium–titanium alloy joints were successfully produced by friction stir welding. Unlike the (α+β) dual phase microstructure in base metal, only the β phase existed in the region in which temperature exceeded the β transient point for the as welded joint. Accordingly, the hardness in these regions exhibited integral decrement and uniform distribution features. The thermal simulation further showed that hardness variation was mainly determined by phase composition. Microstructure development in the nugget zone was mainly governed by continuous dynamic recrystallisation. Satisfactory ultimate tensile strength and elongation equal to the base metal were achieved in the as welded joint. Tensile fracture occurred at the heat affected zone near the retreating side of the joint. The fracture surface of the joint exhibited a mixing feature with quasi-cleavage facets and small dimples.     

Mechanical properties of friction welded joint between Ti–6Al–4V alloy and Al–Mg alloy (AA5052)

Abstract

The present paper describes the mechanical properties of a friction welded joint between Ti–6Al–4V alloy and Al–Mg alloy (AA5052). The Ti–6Al–4V/AA5052–H112 joint, made at a friction speed of 27.5 rev s^?1, friction pressure of 30 MPa, friction time of 3.0 s, and forge pressure of 60 MPa, had 100% joint efficiency and fractured in the AA5052–H112 base metal. The Ti–6Al–4V/AA5052–H34 joint, made under the same friction welding conditions, did not achieve 100% joint efficiency and it fractured in the AA5052–H34 base metal because the AA5052–H34 base metal had softened under friction heating. The joints made at low friction speed or using short friction time showed fracture at the welded interface because a sufficient quantity of heat for welding could not be produced. However, the joints made at high friction speed or using long friction time were also fractured at the welded interface: in this instance, the welded interface also had an intermetallic compound layer consisting of Ti₂Mg₃Al₁₈. The Ti–6Al–4V/AA5052–H34 joint made at a friction speed of 27.5 rev s^?1 with friction pressure of 150 MPa, friction time of 0.5 s, and forge pressure of 275 MPa had 100% joint efficiency and fractured in the AA5052–H34 base metal, although the AA5052–H34 side softened slightly. In conclusion, the Ti–6Al–4V/AA5052–H112 joint and Ti–6Al–4V/AA5052–H34 joint had 100% joint efficiency and fractured in the AA5052 base metal when made under the friction welding conditions described above.     

Effect of second-phase particle on localized corrosion in Al–Zn–Mg–Cu–Mn alloy friction stir welded joint

The microstructure and corrosion behavior of a high-strength Al–Zn–Mg–Cu–Mn alloy friction stir welded (FSWed) joint were investigated using scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, open-circuit potential test, and potentiodynamic polarization. The weld nugget zone and heat-affected zone (HAZ) of the FSWed joint showed diverse microstructural characteristics including micron-scale intermetallic particles and nanoscale precipitates, leading to different localized corrosion sensitivities. The results of electrochemical tests confirmed the regional difference of corrosion in FSWed joints. Detailed research on the corrosion process revealed that micron-scale Al(Fe,Mn,Si) particles promoted the dissolution of the vicinal matrix to induce pitting corrosion. The directionally distributed intermetallic particles and grain boundary precipitates in HAZ conduced to the development of intergranular microcracks into exfoliation. The matrix precipitates affected the localized corrosion tendency due to regional variation of the redissolution degree.     

Physical simulation of microstructural evolution in linear friction welded joints of Ti–6Al–4V alloy

Abstract

The novel shear compression specimen was used to simulate the microstructural evolution in linear friction welding joints of Ti–6Al–4V alloy. Similar formation mechanisms of microstructures and microtextures were found in the linear friction welding joints and shear compression specimen. Accordingly, the shear compression test was proved to simulate the microstructural evolution and the thermomechanical conditions that occurred in linear friction welding joint. Furthermore, the strain rate in linear friction welding was estimated to exceed the value of 70?s^??1.     

Electrochemical assessment of laser heat treatment of an Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy

The effect of laser heat treatment on the corrosion properties of the 7075 aluminum alloy was studied electrochemically. Laser retrogression and re-aging (LRRA) is proposed to replace the retrogression treatment of retrogression and re-aging. Transmission electron microscopy was used to analyze the microstructure of the alloy. The corrosion of the alloy treated using different LRRA parameters was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Using the polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements, it was concluded that the best corrosion resistance was obtained by the alloy treated at 2 mm/s with a laser power of 650 W. The spacing between the precipitate-free zone and grain boundary precipitates increased. It is proved that the laser process can effectively improve the corrosion resistance of the 7075 alloy.     

Properties and structure of friction stir welded joints in 1424 and V-1461 (Al–Li) alloys*

The effect of the friction stir welding (FSW) conditions on the structure of welded joint and mechanical properties of 1424 and V-1461 alloys is investigated. FSW is accompanied by the formation of a recrystallized fine-grain microstructure in the welded joint. It is shown that the increase of the heat input to the welded sheets does not increase the average grain size in the weld zone (the average grain size is 1.5–2.2 μm). The tensile strength of the welded joints depends on the welding conditions for both alloys. Special features of the microstructure formed in the zone of the welded joint are discussed and the effect of the microstructure on the mechanical properties of the welded joints and evolution under the effect of heat treatment after FSW are determined.     

Tensile properties and mechanical heterogeneity of friction stir welded joints of 2014 aluminum alloy

1 INTRODUCTIONFriction stir welding ( FSW) is a new andpromising welding process that can produce low-cost and high-quality joints of many alloys[1 7]becauseit does not need consumable filler materialsand can eli minate some welding defects such ascrack and porosity . In the FSW process , thewelding temperature is lower than that in thefusion welding, and the metal is in the plasticstate ,so many fusion welding defects can be avoi-ded. At present , more and more researches havebeen focu…     

Interlayer growth at interfaces of Ti/Al–1%Mn,Ti/Al–4·6%Mg and Ti/pure Al friction weld joints by post-weld heat treatment

Abstract

The interlayer growth at interfaces of Ti/Al–1%Mn and Ti/Al–4·6%Mg weld joints was studied by postweld heat treatment. The heating temperatures ranged from 676 to 873 K (400–600°C) and maximum heating time was 360 ks (100 h). The basic mechanism of interlayer growth for pure Ti/pure Al friction weld joint was also estimated. The interlayer growth rate of Ti/Al–4·6%Mg joint was much faster than for the Ti/ Al–1%Mn joint. The interlayer mainly consisted of (Al,Si)₃Ti for the Ti/Al–1%Mn joint, and Al₁₈Mg₃Ti₂ for the Ti/Al–4·6%Mg joint. While the interlayer grew from Al alloy substrate to the Ti side for the Ti/Al–1%Mn joint, it grew from the Ti substrate to the Al alloy side for the Ti/Al–4·6%Mg joint. The interlayer growth stopped for several hours on heating for 36 ks (10 h). Neither linear nor parabolic time-dependence relations could be exactly fit to the interlayer growth rate for both joints. The interlayer growth of Ti/Al–1%Mn was proportional to heating time raised to approximately 0·85. The crystal direction of Al₃Ti interlayer growth of the Ti/Al joint was close to 〈001〉 and 〈111〉 directions obtained by OIM method. Nucleation and nuclei growth were observed at the interface of the Ti/Al joint. The nucleation and the nuclei growth are the reason for the phenomena (time dependence) described above.     

Improvement of impact strength of friction‐welded joints by weld interface shape optimisation

The theoretical and practical principles of heat, thermomechanical treatment and textural hardening of weldable titanium alloys are described. The results of investigations of the effect of deformation and heat treatment on the mechanical properties of welded joints in titanium alloys are presented.     

Effects of base and filler chemistry and weld techniques on equiaxed zone formation in Al–Zn–Mg alloy welds

Abstract

Equiaxed zone (EQZ) formation in Al–Zn–Mg alloy welds as affected by base metal, filler metal chemistry and weld techniques is studied. Filler metal chemistry and welding techniques have great influence on the formation of EQZ microstructure as base metal composition has. In an effort to characterise the equiaxed grain zone formation in Al–Zn–Mg alloy welds two commercial Al alloys AA7018 and RDE40 were selected. Gas tungsten arc welding in continuous current, pulsed current and arc oscillation mode were applied to weld the base materials. The influence of Sc containing fillers have been studied and compared with the commercial filler material. Mechanical and metallurgical characterisation were carried out in the EQZ. Intergranular corrosion in EQZ was studied according to ASTM G 110-92. Results reveals that RDE40 with low solute contents showed wider EQZ but relatively better corrosion and mechanical properties compared to AA7018 EQZ. Gas tungsten arc welding in pulsed and arc oscillation mode fusion boundary region exhibits better corrosion and mechanical properties compared to continuous current mode welds. Addition of Sc to the AA5556 filler combined with pulsed mode resulted in elimination of EQZ, better corrosion and mechanical properties compared to welds made with conventional AA5556 filler and also the presence of Sc within the EQZ so called unmixed zone has been observed.     

Influence of alloy composition and heat treatment on precipitate composition in Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloys

The composition of precipitates in three alloys of the Al–Zn–Mg–Cu system has been investigated for different heat treatments, including peak-aged and over-aged states as well as near-equilibrium conditions, by combining atom probe tomography and systematic anomalous small-angle X-ray scattering experiments. We show that the concentration of Cu in the precipitates changes during heat treatments and is alloy dependent. At low ageing temperature (120 °C) the Cu content in the precipitates is close to the alloy content. The precipitate Cu content is shown to increase with increasing temperature and Cu alloy content. We show that in near-equilibrium conditions the precipitate compositions are 33 at.% in Mg, about 15 at.% in Al, about 13 at.% in Cu and balance Zn. Our results strongly suggest that the gradual incorporation of Cu in the precipitates during the heat treatment is essentially related to the slower diffusivity of this element in aluminium.     

Evolution of precipitate microstructures during the retrogression and re-ageing heat treatment of an Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy

Using a combination of experimental techniques, including anomalous small-angle scattering and atom-probe tomography, the evolution of precipitate microstructures during the different steps of retrogression and re-ageing (RRA) heat treatments of an Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy has been systematically evaluated. Quantitative information on the morphology, scale and chemistry of the precipitates provide new insight into the mechanisms at work during this process. It is shown that both the final chemistry and precipitate size distribution are different in the final RRA temper compared to classical heat treatments, with the presence of small clusters nucleated during the re-ageing step, and an average precipitate composition richer in Cu, together with a matrix enrichment in Zn, related to the difference in diffusivity between the two solute atoms. The mechanisms of precipitate evolution during the reversion and re-ageing steps are discussed in light of the influence of the process parameters.     

Microstructure evolution in refill friction stir spot weld of a dissimilar Al–Mg alloy to Zn-coated steel

In the present study, dissimilar welds of an Al–Mg–Mn alloy and a Zn-coated high-strength low-alloy steel were welded by refill friction stir spot welding. The maximum shear load recorded was approximately 7.8?kN, obtained from the weld produced with a 1600?rev min^?1 tool rotational speed. Microstructural analyses showed the formation of a solid–liquid structure of an Al solid solution in Mg–Al-rich Zn liquid, which gives rise to the formation of Zn-rich Al region and microfissuring in some regions during welding. Exposure of steel surface to Mg–Al-rich Zn liquid led to the formation of Fe₂Al₅ and Fe₄Al₁₃ intermetallics. The presence of defective Zn-rich Al regions and Fe–Al intermetallics at the faying surface affects the weld strength.     

Special features of the formation of electron beam welded joints in pressed strips of a high-strength aluminium alloy of the Al–Zn–Mg–Cu system

The special features of electron beam welding of pressed strips of the V-1963-strength aluminium alloy of the Al–Zn–Mg–Cu system with a thickness of 40 mm are investigated. The results of tests of the welded joints in static tensile loading, bending, and impact toughness of the weld metal are presented. It is shown that the strength of the welded joints equals 0.7–0.8 of the strength of the parent material. The results of investigations of the macro- and microstructure of the welded joints are generalized and it is shown that the welded joints are characterized by the formation of an equiaxed fine-grained structure with the grain size of 5–10 μm.     

Investigation of the strength of steel–titanium diffusion welded joints

The results of investigation of the structure and mechanical properties in tensile loading and structural strength at 20°C of diffusion welded joints between 08Cr18Ni10Ti steel and PT-3V and PT-5V are presented.