Abstract
The 5083 and 6061(T6) aluminum (Al) alloys are widely used in transportation industries and the development of structural designs because of their high toughness and high corrosion resistance. Friction stir welding (FSW) was performed to produce the dissimilar welded joint of Al5083-Al 6061(T6) under different welding parameters. However, softening behavior occurred in the friction stir welded (FSWed) samples because of grain coarsening or the dissolution of precipitation-hardening phases in the welding zone. Consequently, this research intended to investigate the effect of the post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) method on the mechanical property improvement of the dissimilar FSWed Al5083-Al6061(T6) and governing abnormal grain growth (AGG) through different welding parameters. The results showed PWHT enhanced the mechanical properties of dissimilar joints of Al5083-Al6061(T6). AGG was obtained in the microstructure of PWHTed joints, but appropriate PWHT could recover the dissolved precipitation-hardening particle in the heat-affected zone of the as-welded joint. Further, the tensile strength of the dissimilar joint increased from 181 MPa in the as-welded joint to 270 MPa in the PWHTed joint, showing 93% welding efficacy.
Highlights
Aluminum (Al) alloys are remarkably adaptable materials that are commonly utilized in transportation industries and the development of structural designs [1,2]
The results showed no noticeable effect on the UTS of the friction stir welded (FSWed) specimens after 180 days of natural aging
The results showed that abnormal grain growth (AGG) occurred in the SZ, and the UTS of PWHTed samples was not improved by post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) due to the lack of mixing of materials in the weld zone
Summary
Aluminum (Al) alloys are remarkably adaptable materials that are commonly utilized in transportation industries and the development of structural designs [1,2]. Post-welding processes can be performed on welded samples to improve the loss of strength in the welding of Al alloys by recovering precipitation-hardening particles and relieving residual stress or the average grain size reduction in the weld zone [21]. Paidar et al [25] studied the effect of PWHT (solution heat treatment at 520 ◦ C for 1 h and artificial aging at 165 ◦ C for 18 h) on dissimilar FSWed Al2024-Al6061. The results showed that AGG occurred in the SZ, and the UTS of PWHTed samples was not improved by PWHT due to the lack of mixing of materials in the weld zone. This research intended to examine the effect of PWHT on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and serration-flow behavior of the stress–strain curves of dissimilar FSWed samples under different welding parameters
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