Comparing similar and dissimilar friction stir welds of 2017–6005A aluminium alloys

Abstract Similar and dissimilar friction stir welds made of aluminium alloys 2017-T6 and 6005A-T6 are compared in terms of heat inputs, temperatures, material flow distributions and resulting local and overall tensile properties. Similar welds are systematically hotter and weaker than the dissimilar welds. Predictions of a three-dimensional finite element model of the tensile test transverse to the weldline are assessed towards local deformation fields measured by digital image correlation. Deformation systematically localises on the weakest heat affected zone, which is on the 6005A side in the dissimilar welds.