Effect of artificial ageing on microstructural behaviour of friction stir welded AA2014 aluminium alloy joints

Friction stir welding (FSW) of the heat treatable Al alloy causes degradation of strength properties in the as-weld condition due to thermal cycle. Hence, the post weld heat treatment is used to recover the lost joints properties. In this research, the effect of artificial ageing on microstructure characteristics was scientifically studied. The microstructural features were carried out using a microscope. The strength and hardness properties were correlated with the grain size. It was found that the aged joint exhibited higher lap shear strength than the as weld joint due to the formation of equi-axed grains and fine precipitates. (c) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the International Conference on Advances in Materials Research-2019.