Dissimilar friction-stir welding of aluminum alloys 2519, 6061, and 7050 using an additively-manufactured tool

Abstract

This work was undertaken to evaluate the feasibility of the additively-manufactured tool for dissimilar friction-stir welding (FSW) of 2519, 6061, and 7050 heat-treatable aluminum alloys. The tool design included a flat shoulder with an Archimedean spiral groove and a threaded probe with a Triflute profile. It was found that the application of such a tool provided a nearly twofold decrease in Z-force and essentially enhanced the mechanical mixing of dissimilar materials within the stir zone. Nevertheless, despite the enhancement effect, FSW was inefficient for a homogeneous intermixing of dissimilar materials, and a distinct interface boundary was present within the stir zone. It was also found that the mechanical performance of the welded joints was sensitive to the initial temper condition of the welded alloys. Specifically, FSW of the alloys in the solution-annealed condition provided no significant influence on material strength, while that in the precipitation-hardened state led to significant material softening. During the post-weld T6 treatment, extensive nucleation of silicon-rich particles was found to occur at this interface. It was deduced that those promoted cracking during transverse tensile tests, thus giving rise to the decohesion of the dissimilar welds along the interface boundary. Hence, the post-weld T6 treatment was concluded to be unfeasible for dissimilar aluminum welds.