Abstract

The long term natural aging behavior of friction stir welded aluminum 7136-T76 extrusions was investigated. The microstructure and mechanical properties in the as-welded, three years naturally aged, and six years naturally aged conditions were studied. Hardness profiles of the as-welded condition displayed the characteristic W-shape, but the advancing side hardness was lower than that on the retreating side. With natural aging, hardness recovery occurred, but the position of the hardness minima, particularly on the advancing side, shifted away from the weld centerline. Numerical simulations demonstrated that the processing temperatures were greater on the advancing side such that equilibrium phase dissolution was greater in this location and occurred to a greater distance from the centerline than on the retreating side. The hardness behavior upon natural aging, therefore, correlated to the temperature profile developed during welding and the degree to which phase dissolution occurs in the regions adjacent to the stir zone.

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