Characterization of a friction-stir-welded aluminum alloy 6013

The aluminum alloy 6013 was friction-stir welded in the T4 and the T6 temper, and the microstructure and mechanical properties were studied after welding and after applying a postweld heat treatment (PWHT) to the T4 condition. Optical microscopy (OM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and texture measurements revealed that the elongated pancake microstructure of the base material (BM) was transformed into a dynamically recrystallized microstructure of considerably smaller grain size in the weld nugget. Strengthening precipitates, present before welding in the T6 state, were dissolved during welding in the nugget, while an overaged state with much larger precipitate size was established in the heat-affected zone (HAZ). Microhardness measurements and tensile tests showed that the HAZ is the weakest region of the weld. The welded sheet exhibited reduced strength and ductility as compared to the BM. A PWHT restored some of the strength to the as-welded condition.