Abstract
Effects of friction stir welding parameters such as tool rotation speed and welding speed on the joints properties of 5052 Al alloys were studied in this study. A wide range of friction stir welding conditions could be applied to join 5052 AA alloy without defects in the weld zone except for certain welding conditions with a lower heat input. Microstructures near the weld zone showed general weld structures such as stir zone (SZ), thermo-mechanically affected zone (TMAZ) and heat affected zone (HAZ). Each zone showed the dynamically recrystallized grain, transient grain and structure similar to base metal's, respectively. Hardness distribution near the weld zone represented a similar value of the base metal under wide welding conditions. However, in case of 800 rpm of tool rotation speed, hardness of the stir zone had a higher value due to the fine grain with lots of dislocation tangle, a higher angle grain boundary and some of Al3Fe particles. Except joints with weld defects, tensile strength and elongation of the joints had values similar to the base metal values and fracture always occurred in the regions approximately 5mm away from the weld center.
