Mechanical properties of friction stir welded joints of 1050 – H24 aluminium alloy

The friction stir welding (FSW) of 1050 - H24 aluminium alloy was performed to investigate the mechanical properties of the joints and determine the optimum FSW parameters. The mechanical properties of the joints were evaluated via tensile tests. The experimental results showed that a distinct softened region located at the weld and heat affected zones occurred in the joints. The degree of softening and tensile properties of the joints are significantly affected by the welding process parameters, such as welding speed and rotation speed. The optimum FSW parameters can be determined from the relations between the tensile properties and the welding parameters, and the maximum tensile strength of the joints is equivalent to 80% of that of the base material. When the welding parameters deviate from the optimum values, a crack like defect or significant softening is produced in the joints, thus the tensile properties of the joints deteriorate and the fracture locations of the joints change. All these results can be explained by the hardness distributions and welding defects in the joints.