Study on the balance between FSW parameters and heat treatment for an optimized Al2024-T8 joint: microstructural and tensile evaluations

In this study, the effects of different rotational speeds (?) and T6 post weld heat treatment on microstructure, micro-hardness distribution, tensile properties friction stir welded Al2024-T8 were investigated. Rotational 700, 900 1100 rpm at a constant 100 mm/min transverse rate (?) used. To investigate degree treatment’s (PWHT) effectiveness with respect to speed FSW, half joints treated under condition (Solutionizing 500 °C for 1 h, quenching, finally aging 200 2 h). Ascending trend grain size workpieces without PWHT in thermo-mechanically affected zone (TMAZ) from 700 indicates that generated played main role rather than plastic deformation. Close hardness results among all FSW zones confirm success overcoming thermo-mechanical microstructural variations resulted friction. The effect increasing ?/? is considerable. Higher ? led higher strength but lower ductility. Therefore, highest was achieved = (71.2% base metal), elongation (13.8% metal). showed strong dependency PWHT’s parameters. reduced cases amount reduction relative original by increased ?. same observed ductility exception 25% improvement over (? rpm).