Characterization of a Friction Stir Weld in Aluminum Alloy 7055 Using Microhardness, Electrical Conductivity, and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)

Optical microscopy, microhardness, electrical conductivity, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to characterize the microstructure, hardness, and precipitate structure as a function of position in a friction stir weld, naturally aged for 10 years, in aluminum alloy 7055. Results are shown for the as-welded/naturally aged condition and for a weld that was post-aged using a –T76 regimen. The grain structure and microhardness results reveal the expected central recrystallized region, a thermo-mechanical affected zone (TMAZ), and heat-affected zone (HAZ) with typical changes in microhardness. DSC scans for the as-welded/naturally aged condition indicate a precipitate structure similar to that of a naturally aged condition in the central recrystallized region. Maximum precipitate coarsening and overaging occurs near the TMAZ/HAZ boundary with reduced precipitate dissolution and coarsening as the distance from the weld increases. The post-weld aging resulted in the transformation of GP zones to more stable precipitates plus coarsening of the more stable η′ and η precipitates. A combination of DSC testing and CALPHAD calculations allowed calculation of precipitate volume fraction in the HAZ. The precipitate volume fraction decreased monotonically from 0.052 in the baseline material to 0.044 at the TMAZ/HAZ interface.