Effect of heat treatment on the grain structure and mechanical properties of Al-7075 friction stir weld

The fine grain structure of friction-stir welded aluminum alloys is unstable during post weld heat treatment and some grains abnormally grown. In this study, the sequence of abnormal grain growth during T6 heat treatment of Al-7075 friction-stir weld and its effect on mechanical properties of the weld was studied. The results showed that heat treatment in 510 ˚C resulted in drastic grain growth in stir zone and fine equiaxed grains in the stir zone of as-welded joint were substituted by millimeter-scale irregular grains. Post weld heat treatment resulted in decrease in the tensile elongation from about 10% to 1.5% although the joint tensile strength improved by 28%. In addition, post weld heat treatment changed the fracture location from the  heat-affected zone to the stir zone.