Influence of kinematic factors of friction stir welding on the characteristics of welded joints of forged plates made of EN AW 7049 A aluminium alloy

Abstract

© 2017, Strojarski Facultet. All rights reserved. In this paper, the influence of rotation speed and welding speed on the impact strength, microstructure and cross section micro hardness of FSW welded joints of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu high strength aluminium alloy is studied. Rotation speed was varied from 750 min-1 to 850 min-1 and welding speed from 60 mm/min to 80 mm/min. It was found that the energy of crack propagation is up to three times higher than the energy of crack initiation. This ratio was found by testing the Charpy notched specimens taken from left and right from the weld centre, 4 mm from the notch in a direction opposite to a direction of welding. Micro hardness distribution in the nugget does not show large dissipation of value regardless if the measuring point is in the upper or lower section of the nugget. Weld microstructure characteristics and zones are clearly defined at the basis of grain size and material flow.