Effect of Rotational Speed on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Refill Friction Stir Spot Welded 2024 Al Alloy

摘要

Refill friction stir spot welding (RFSSW) was successfully used to weld alclad 2024 aluminum alloy with different thicknesses. Effects of tool rotational speed on the weld formation, microstructure, and mechanical properties of the RFSSW welds were mainly discussed. Results show that keyhole is successfully refilled and welding defects such as flash, annular groove, and material adhesion can be observed. A bright contrast bonding ligament is found embedded in the weld and it is thicker in the center. Defects of hook, void, lack of mixing, and incomplete refilling can be found at the thermo-mechanically affected zone/stir zone (TMAZ/SZ) interface, which can be attributed to weak metallurgical bonding effect. With increasing the tool rotational speed, thickness of the bonding ligament decreases, grains in the SZ coarsen, hardness of the SZ decreases, and lap shear load of the welds decreases. When changing the rotating speed, impact strength shows rather complicated variation trend.