Precipitation sequence in friction stir weld of 6063 aluminum during aging

Yutaka S. Sato, Hiroyuki Kokawa, Masatoshi Enomoto, Shigetoshi Jogan, Takenori Hashimoto

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

187 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The precipitation sequence in friction stir weld of 6063 aluminum during postweld aging, associated with Vickers hardness profiles, has been examined by transmission electron microscopy. Friction stir welding produces a softened region in the weld, which is characterized by dissolution and growth of the precipitates. The precipitate-dissolved region contains a minimum hardness region in the as-welded condition. In the precipitate-dissolved region, postweld aging markedly increases the density of strengthening precipitates and leads to a large increase in hardness. On the other hand, aging forms few new precipitates in the precipitate-coarsened region, which shows a slight increase in hardness. The postweld aging at 443 K for 43.2 ks (12 hours) gives greater hardness in the overall weld than in the as-received base material and shifts the minimum hardness from the as-welded minimum hardness region to the precipitate-coarsened region. These hardness changes are consistent with the subsequent precipitation behavior during postweld aging. The postweld solution heat treatment (SHT) and aging achieve a high density of strengthening precipitates and bring a high hardness homogeneously in the overall weld.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3125-3130
Number of pages6
JournalMetallurgical and Materials Transactions A: Physical Metallurgy and Materials Science
Volume30
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1999

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Metals and Alloys

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