Influence of Friction Stir Welding on Hardness Distribution in Joints of AlZn5Mg1 Alloy

Abstract

The article presents the research results of hardness values distribution of friction stir welded joint (FSW) alloy AW 7020 (AlZn5Mg1). FSW is a method of welding in the solid state, mechanical properties of joints welded by that method can be higher than that for arc welding techniques (MIG, TIG). The parameters of friction stir welding (FSW) used to join 7020 alloy were presented. Metallographic analysis showed the correctly structured FSW welded 7020 alloy. The study was carried out using Vickers hardness HV5 in accordance with the requirements of the Polish Standard PN-EN 6507 using a hardness testing machine HPO-10. The location of measurement points in the butt joint was determined in accordance with PN-EN 1043-1:2000. The indenter load was 49 N. In order to determine the effect of bonding method on structure change of the material microscopic examination was performed using an optical microscope ZEISS Axiovert 25.The test specimens were polished and then etched with KELLER reagent. This enabled the precise identification of zones present in the joint, such as: weld nugget, thermo-mechanically affected zone, native material. To determine the grain size in the different zones of joints bonded by FSW AxioVision 4.8.2 software was used. Hardness testing in across researched joints showed that the highest value of hardness is in the weld and the lowest is in the native material.