Effect of initial base metal temper on mechanical properties in AA7050 friction stir welds

The effect of initial base metal temper on mechanical properties in AA7050 friction stir welds was investigated. AA7050 plates, 6·4 mm thick, with three different heat treatment conditions (T7451, T62 and W), were friction stir welded using nearly identical welding parameters, followed by post-weld aging approximating a T7451 heat treatment. The microstructure, transverse hardness profiles and transverse tensile properties were characterised for these three welds. Experimental results show that preweld heat treatment conditions of AA7050 base metal have significant effect on the mechanical properties of the friction stir welds. Friction stir welding of AA7050 in the W condition, followed by post-weld aging, can change the fracture location from HAZ to weld nugget and increase tensile and yield strengths and elongation in transverse tension, relative to welding in T62 or T7451 conditions.