Effect of tool position on microstructural and mechanical properties of friction stir butt welded joint of AA2024–AA7075 dissimilar alloys

In this research, butt joining of Al2024 and Al7075 plates were performed by Friction Stir Welding (FSW) and the effect of tool position on microstructural and mechanical properties in about 1 mm from center line of joint towards the advancing side (AS) and the retreating side (RS) was investigated at three positions of +1, 0, -1 mm. In this regard, the plates of Al2024 and Al7075 were selected as the AS and the RS, respectively. In this joining method, transvers speed of 200 mm/min and tool rotation speed of 600 rpm were chosen. Macro- and Micro- structures of various welding areas and fractography of samples were evaluated by optical and scanning electron microscopies. In addition, mechanical properties were investigated using micro-hardness and tension tests. From the obtained macro-structures, it was observed that in all three joints, the surface of weld was without any defects (i.e., porosity, lack of penetration…). With varying tool offset position, welding micro-structure morphology was changed from homogeneous mode to layer or onion ring- shaped mode. Moreover, with varying tool position into the AS-side, tensile strength increased about 17.5% as opposed to the zero-tool position, but there was a decreasing about in tensile strength with changing tool position towards the RS-side as compared with the zero-tool position. Value of micro-hardness was approximately similar in all welded samples, but the highest value of hardness was observed at the weld zone (WZ). Thus, the obtained results showed that with varying tool position into the AS-side, mechanical properties were improved as opposed to the zero-tool position and tool position towards the RS-side.