Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of AA7005 Alloy Joint by Fusion and Solid-State Welding Processes.

In the present work, effect of gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), gas metal arc welding (GMAZ) and friction stir welding (FSW) processes on microstructure and mechanical properties of AA7005 alloy were investigated. In general, conventional welding process like GTAW and GMAW is preferred by industries but they produce a joint efficiency of 55%. In this study, welding of AA7005 alloy was carried out with ER 5183 filler wire using GTAW and GMAW welding and without filler using solid-state FSW. Coarse grain with wide HAZ was observed in conventional welding which resulted in a reduction in tensile strength by 37 to 43%. Nevertheless, only a 17% reduction in strength was observed in FSW weld due to fine equiaxed grain size and precipitates in the weld. A joint efficiency of 83% was achieved by the FSW process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]