Effect of natural aging on microstructure and mechanical properties of friction stir welded 7050-T7451 joints

The microstructure and mechanical properties of friction stir welded 2. 5 mm 7050-T7451 aluminum alloy natural aging 72 h and 17 520 h were investigated, respectively. The uniaxial tensile test showed that yield strength, tensile strength and elongation of the joints 17 520 h natural aging were about 20%, 12% and 24% higher than those joints natural aging 72 h. Hardness profile of natural aging 17 520 h joint witnessed significant enhancement in nugget zone, compared with 72 h natural aging. Differential scanning calorimetry （ DSC ） and transmission electron microscopy （TEM） test revealed that more Guinier-Preston zone, η＇ and 71 phase emerged in nugget zone as natural aging duration increased, high density of dislocation located within grain boundary in nugget zone of joints natural aging 72 h. It is concluded that natural aging was feasible to enhalwe strength and plasticity of FSW joints simultaneously.

自然时效对7050铝合金搅拌摩擦焊接头性能的影响

对2.5 mm 7050-T7451铝合金搅拌摩擦焊接头进行自然时效处理,时效时间分别为72 h和17 520 h.对时效处理的接头进行拉伸试验、显微硬度测试和微观组织观察,确定自然时效时间对接头的力学性能、硬度分布、微观组织以及析出物的影响规律.结果表明,自然时效17 520 h接头的屈服强度、抗拉强度和断后伸长率较自然时效72 h的接头分别提高了20%,12%和25%;自然时效17 520 h接头的焊核区和热力影响区的硬度相应的提高了约60 MPa;随着自然时效时间的延长,焊核区和热力影响区的溶质原子富集区(GP区)所占的比例升高、η'和η析出相增多,它们能够钉扎位错,使位错运动消耗更多的能量,从而提高了接头的强度和塑性.