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 7050-77451 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 aging72 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 η 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 enhance strength and plasticity of FSW joints simultaneously.