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In the present work, similar and dissimilar friction stir welds have been produced on 6-mm-thick plates of AA6082-T6 and AA7075-T651. The microstructural characteristics and the mechanical response of both similar and dissimilar welds were investigated aiming to determine the major differences between them. Material mixing of the dissimilar weld nugget, which was created after the welding process, was studied in order to determine the produced different areas and their dominant alloying elements in this zone. Microstructural investigation was made in the welding zones of similar and dissimilar friction stir welds and indications of partial dynamic recrystallization were observed in the thermomechanically affected zone of the similar welds. Transverse and longitudinal microhardness distributions determined the heat affected zone as the weaker area in the welded specimen. After tensile testing, the fracture of the similar and the dissimilar welds at heat affected zone demonstrated the good bonding and weld quality of the similar and dissimilar weld nuggets.

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PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine if the nanoindentation technique is a reliable method and whether it can be used to measure the surface hardness (H) in friction stir welded aluminum alloys. In order to test the reliability of nanoindentation technique, nanohardness values for friction stir welded aluminum alloys were compared to microhardness values. Additionally, the onset of plasticity (yielding) is investigated.Design/methodology/approachNanoindentation experiments were performed for the determination of onset on plasticity (yielding) and comparison of local mechanical properties of both welded alloys. In order to test the reliability of nanoindentation technique, nanohardness values for friction stir welded AA6082 were compared to microhardness values. The specimen was tested using two different instruments – a Vickers microhardness tester and a nanoindenter tester for fine scale evaluation of H.FindingsThe results of this study indicate that nanohardness values with a Berkovich indenter reliably correlate with Vickers microhardness values. Nanoindentation technique can provide reliable results for analyzing friction stir welded aluminum alloys. The welding process definitely affects the material mechanical properties.Originality/valueMicrohardness and nanohardness obtained values can be correlated carefully, regarding the similarities and the differences of the two above mentioned techniques.

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