Assessment of friction stir welding joints of AA2017-T4 aluminum by disc pressure mechanical tests

Precipitation hardening aluminium alloy sheets AA2017-T4 are welded by FSW on a conventional tool. A macrograph of the cross section butt-welded joint shows classical zones for such welding, namely nugget zone, thermo-mechanically affected zone and heat zone. Scanning Electron Microscopy displays grain refining re-formation precipitates in Micro-hardness measurements cross-section perpendicular to welding direction give standard W-profile hardness with as expected, relatively highest value at center (nugget zone). To assess mechanical performance joint, Disk Pressure Test (DPT) is used. It failure pressure specimen that 17% lower than base material. The fracture surface micrographs clearly show thickness reduction break ~36% higher material ductile mode both specimens.