Effect of post weld heat treatment on the microstructure and tensile properties of dissimilar friction stir welded AA 2219 and AA 6061 alloys

In the present work, the effect of post weld heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of dissimilar friction stir weldments of Al alloys 6061 and 2219 (in peak aged T6 temper) was investigated. The survey of microhardness profile in the as-welded samples showed fluctuations across the weld zone and a minimum in the hardness occurred in the heat affected zone (HAZ) of alloy 6061. After a post weld ageing treatment at 165 degrees C for 18h, the hardness was found to increase in weld zone alone and there is no effective improvement in HAZ hardness. On the other hand, a post weld solution treatment at 520 degrees C followed by ageing at 165 degrees C for 18h resulted in significant improvement in hardness across the whole weldment. This is also reflected in the tensile strength of the joint. These results were correlated with microstructures, observed using optical, scanning and transmission electron microscopes.