Microstructural Modifications of As-Age Hardening 7071 Aluminium Alloy using Friction Stir Welding

Objective: Friction stir welding (FSW) is a relatively new solid state welding technique for similar and dissimilar materials, especially on current interest with Aluminium 7071 to Aluminim 7071. Method/Analysis: The present paper discusses the process parameters followed by mechanical properties and microstructures which affect the weld strength. Findings: Mechanical properties-Tensile strength attained with different process parameters and Microstructures are obtained by Optical Metallurgical Microscopy (MET SCOPE-1) and a Scanning Electron Microscopy equipped with an X-radiation detector EDS Conclusion/Application: In this study Similar FSW between Al 7071 to Al 7071plates with thickness 6mm were performed. The future research will contain creep tests and microstructural investigations using aluminium 7071 alloy using TEM microscopy (Transmission Electron Microscopy).It is demonstrated that FSW of aluminium to aluminium alloys is becoming an emerging technology with numerous commercial applications.