Friction stir welding of thick plates of Al–Mg–Sc alloy

Abstract

A technology is developed for single-pass friction stir welding (FSW) of 11- and 35-mm-thick plates of Al–Mg–Sc alloys. The microstructural and mechanical heterogeneity of the welded joints is investigated. The welded joints obtained under the optimum welding conditions are free from macrodefects. The strength of the welded joint equals 98% of the strength of the parent metal, which is higher than the strength of fusion-welded joints. It is concluded that the FSW of thick plates of Al–Mg–Sc alloy can be used efficiently in practice.

Keywords:

• Friction stir welding
• Al–Mg–Sc alloy
• microstructure
• mechanical properties
• heterogeneity

Notes

Selected from Svarochnoe Proizvodstvo, 2015, 68 (8) 19–23.