Experimental simulation of recrystallized microstructure in friction stir welded Al alloy using a plane-strain compression test

The effective strain rate during friction stir welding (FSW) of Al alloy 1050 was estimated experimentally by simulating the recrystallized grains of the stir zone through a combination of the plane-strain compression at various strain rates and the subsequent cooling tracing the cooling cycle of FSW. With the plane-strain compression test, it was possible to simulate the recrystallized grain structure of the friction stir welds, and the effective strain rate was estimated to be about 2-3 s(-1). (c) 2007 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.