Influence of friction stir welding parameters on grain size and formability in 5083 aluminum alloy

Friction stir welding (FSW) has received a great deal of attention as a new solid-state welding technique. In the present study, the relationship between the microstructure of stir zone and the mechanical property of FS-welded 5083 aluminum alloy was investigated. The microstructures of the stir zones consisted of fine equiaxed grains at various FSW conditions in FS-welded 5083 Al alloy. However, the grain size of the stir zone decreased with the decrease in friction heat flow during FSW. The ductility in FS-welded 5083 Al alloy increased with the decrease in friction beat flow. It was indicated that the formability in FS-welded 5083 Al alloy was improved by the refinement of grain size of the stir zone. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.