An Investigation into Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of AA7075-T6 during Friction Stir Welding at Relatively High Rotational Speeds

In this study, microstructural changes and mechanical properties during friction stir welding of AA7075-T6 have been investigated. Friction stir welding at relatively high rotational speeds ranging from 1000 to 1400 rpm and longitudinal speeds in the range of 40 to 80 mm/min have been performed and then microstructures and mechanical properties of the weldments have been studied. The results show that the rotational and longitudinal speeds have a significant effect on the microstructures as well as the mechanical behavior of the welded material while a fine grain structure is produced at higher ratio of rotational speed to longitudinal speed. On the other hand, for a given longitudinal speed, it is revealed that there is an optimum rotational speed which gives the highest tensile strength and elongation for the stirred zone.