1 Preliminary Study on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Dissimilar Friction Stir Welds in Aircraft Aluminium Alloys 2024-T 351 and 6056-T 4

Aircraft aluminium alloys generally present low weldability by traditional fusion welding process. The development of the friction stir welding has provided an alternative improved way of satisfactory producing aluminium joints, in a faster and reliable manner. In the present work dissimilar Al alloys (AA2024-T351 and AA6056-T4) were friction stir welded. Butt joints were obtained by varying process parameters, namely the rotational speed (500-1200 rpm) and the welding speed (150-400 mm/min.), while axial force and tool geometry were kept constant. Parameter optimisation, which has been based on the results of * Manuscript