Characterization of friction stir welded joints of the aluminum alloy AA 2024-T3 by laser extensometry

Friction stir welding (FSW) is a simple, clean and innovative solid state joining process for light metals. In contrast to conventional welding, FSW is performed at temperatures below the melting point. Therefore, detrimental microstructural changes and cracking during the solidification of the weld pool are avoided. Within certain limits, the excellent mechanical properties of friction stir welds are further improved by an increase of the welding or transverse speed. This is shown by localized strain measurements during tensile tests of friction stir welded sheet material of the aluminum alloy AA 2024-T3. The local strains are measured in the welding region and in the heat affected zone by a laser extensometer. It turned out that the increase in strength with increasing weld speed has to be related to the more homogeneous strain distribution in the welding region and heat affected zone.