The aim of this research was to investigate the influence of post-weld heat treatment (PWHT, precipitation hardening) on the microstructure and fatigue properties of an AA2519 joint obtained in a friction stir-welding process. The welding process was performed with three sets of parameters. One part of the obtained joints was investigated in the as-welded state and the second part of joints was subjected to the post-weld heat treatment (precipitation hardening) and then investigated. In order to establish the influence of the heat treatment on the microstructure of obtained joints both light and scanning electron microscopy observations were performed. Additionally, microhardness analysis for each sample was carried out. Fatigue properties of the samples in the as-welded state and the samples after post-weld heat treatment were established in a low-cycle fatigue test with constant true strain amplitude equal to ε = 0.25% and cycle asymmetry coefficient R = 0.1. Hysteresis loops together with changes of stress and plastic strain versus number of cycles are presented in this paper. The fatigue fracture in tested samples was analyzed with the use of scanning electron microscope. Our results show that post-weld heat treatment of AA2519 friction stir-welded joints significantly decreases their fatigue life.

This investigation presents the results of research on low cycle fatigue properties of Sc-modified AA2519-T62 extrusion. The basic mechanical properties of the investigated alloy have been established in the tensile test. The low cycle fatigue testing has been performed on five different levels of total strain amplitude: 0.4%; 0.5%; 0.6%; 0.7% and 0.8% with cycle asymmetry coefficient R = 0.1. For each level of total strain amplitude, the graphs of variations in stress amplitude and plastic strain amplitude in the number of cycles have been presented. The obtained results allowed to establish Ramberg-Osgood and Manson-Coffin-Basquin relationships. The established values of the cyclic strength coefficient and cyclic strain hardening exponent equal to k’ = 1518.1 MPa and n’ = 0.1702. Based on the Manscon-Coffin-Basquin equation, the values of the following parameters have been established: the fatigue strength coefficient σ’f = 1489.8 MPa, the fatigue strength exponent b = −0.157, the fatigue ductility coefficient ε’f = 0.4931 and the fatigue ductility exponent c = −1.01. The fatigue surfaces of samples tested on 0.4%, 0.6% and 0.8% of total strain amplitude have been subjected to scanning electron microscopy observations. The scanning electron microscopy observations of the fatigue surfaces revealed the presence of cracks in striations in the surrounding area with a high concentration of precipitates. It has been observed that larger Al2Cu precipitates exhibit a higher tendency to fracture than smaller precipitates having a higher concentration of scandium and zirconium.

The paper describes an investigation of an explosively welded Mg/Al/Ti multilayer composite. Following the welding, the composite was subjected to hot-rolling in three different temperatures: 300 °C, 350 °C and 400 °C, with a total relative strain of 30%. The rolling speed was 0.2 m/s. The investigation of the composite properties involves microhardness analysis and mini-specimen tensile tests of the joints. The composite Mg/Al and Al/Ti bonds in the as-welded state and after rolling in 400 °C were subjected to microstructure analysis using scanning electron (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In the Al/Ti interface, the presence of melted zones with localized intermetallic precipitates has been reported in the as-welded state, and it has been stated that hot-rolling results in precipitation of intermetallic particles from the melted zone. The application of the hot-rolling process causes the formation of a continuous layer in the Mg/Al joint, consisting of two intermetallic phases, Mg2Al3 (β) and Mg17Al12 (γ).

The present paper aims to analyze the microstructure, microhardness, tensile properties, and low cycle fatigue (LCF) behavior of friction stir welded (FSW) butt joints. The material used in this study was the 5 mm thick 5083 H111 aluminum alloy sheet. Butt joints of AA 5083 H111 were manufactured at different operating parameters of the FSW process. The effect of the welding parameters on microstructure, microhardness, and tensile properties was investigated. Based on microstructure analysis and strength tests, the most favorable parameters of the FSW process were settled on the point of view of weld quality. Then, LCF tests of base material and friction stir welded specimens made of 5083 H111 were carried out for the examined welded samples under selected friction stir welding parameters. The process of low-cycle fatigue of 5083 H111 aluminum alloy was characterized by cyclic hardening for both: base material and FSW joint. It was revealed by a decrease in the width of the hysteresis loop with the simultaneous significant increase in the values of the range of stress. It was determined that fatigue cracks are initiated by cyclic slip deformation due to local stress concentration from the surface in the corner of the samples for the base material and the heat-affected zone for FSW joints. For all tested strain amplitudes, the fatigue crack propagation region is characterized by the presence of fatigue striation with secondary cracks.

The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of friction stir welding (FSW) parameters on microstructure and mechanical properties of Sc-modified AA2519 extrusion joints. The workpiece was welded by FSW in non-heat-treated condition with seven different sets of welding parameters. For each obtained joint macrostructure and microstructure observations were performed. Mechanical properties of joints were investigated using tensile test together with localization of fracture location. Joint efficiencies were established by comparing measured joints tensile strength to the value for base material. The obtained results show that investigated FSW joints of Sc-modified AA2519 in the non-heat-treated condition have joint efficiency within the range 87–95%. In the joints obtained with the lowest ratio of the tool rotation speed to the tool traverse speed, the occurrence of imperfections (voids) localized in the stir zone was reported. Three selected samples were subjected to further investigations consisting microhardness distribution and scanning electron microscopy fractography analysis. As the result of dynamic recrystallization, the microhardness of the base material value of 86 HV0.1 increased to about 110–125 HV0.1 in the stir zone depending on the used welding parameters. Due to lack of the strengthening phase and low strain hardening of used alloy the lack of a significantly softened zone was reported by both microhardness analysis and investigation of the fractured samples.