Friction-stir-welding (FSW) is a cost-effective and high quality joining process for aluminum alloys (especially heat-treatable allo ys) that has been applied successfully in the aerospace industry. However, the full potential of FSW on more cost-sensitive applications is still limited by the production rate, namely the welding speed of the process. The majority of literature evaluating FSW of aluminum alloys is based on welds made in the range of welding speeds around hundreds of millimeters per minute, and only a handful are at a moderate speed of 1 m/min. In this study we present a microstructural analysis of friction stir welded AA7075-T6 blanks with welding speeds up to 3 m/min. Textures, microstructures, mechanical properties, and weld quality are analyzed using TEM, EBSD, metallographic imaging, and Vickers hardness. Results are coupled with welding parameters to aid in the understanding of the complex material flow and texture gradients within the welds in an effort to optimize welding parameters for high speed processing.
Revised: February 19, 2018 |
Published: January 2, 2018
Citation
Zhang J., P. Upadhyay, Y. Hovanski, and D.P. Field. 2018.High-Speed Friction-Stir-Welding of AA7075-T6 sheet: Microstructure,Mechanical properties,Micro-texture and thermal history.Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A - Physical Metallurgy and Materials Science 49, no. 1:210-222.PNNL-SA-128971.doi:10.1007/s11661-017-4411-4