Temperature Influence on Microstructure and Properties Evolution of Friction Stir Welded Al-Mg-Si Alloy
The temperature influence on the microstructure evolution and microhardness of the age-hardenable aluminium alloy 6082 T6 during friction stir welding was defined. In order to achieve this aim, the thermocycles calculated using the developed 3D Finite Element Model were physically simulated on the Gleeble-3800 in the points which located in the different zones of the weld. The microstructure in the chosen points after Gleeble testing was investigated as well as the microhardness was measured. The results were consequently compared with the relevant results obtained after friction stir welding. It was shown that the microstructure and microhardness profile are influenced not only by temperature but by deformation. The increase in hardness in different zones after FSW compared to Gleeble testing can be explained by the grain refinement in the nugget zone as well as the hardening precipitate distribution along the weld which can occur more rapidly due to the deformation influence.