Influences of Natural Aging and High-Temperature Post-Weld Heat Treatments on Dissimilar Aluminum Alloys 6082-T6/7050-T7 Friction Stir Welds
摘要
This study emphasizes the effects of natural aging and high-temperature post-weld heat treatments (PW-HTs) on dissimilar aluminum alloys 6082-T6/7050-T7 friction stir as-welded joints (D67), which improved both mechanical and advanced weld nugget (WN) metallurgical characteristics. In addition to a natural-aged D67 joint (D67NA), three PW-HTs (i) solution-treated D67 joint (D67ST), (ii) artificial-aged D67 joint (D67AA), and (iii) combined solution-treated and artificial-aged D67 joint (D67STAA) were carried out on as-welded joints. Abnormal grain growth (AGG) was observed only in the top part of D67ST on the advancing side of WN, with the highest low-angle grain boundary (LAGB) fractions of 83% and 63% toward the advancing and retreating sides, respectively. Among all PW-HTed joints, the coarsest WN grain sizes of 3.64 ± 2.14 μm and 4.12 ± 2.22 μm were observed in D67NA with the lowest LAGBs fractions of 32% and 24% toward advancing and retreating sides, respectively, resulting in the richest proportion of mixed orientation. The highest average WN microhardness and joint tensile strength values were obtained for D67NA, measuring 140.57 HV and 216 ± 1.41 MPa, respectively. The ductile behavior of all PW-HTed joints was improved compared to D67.