Asymmetric mechanical properties and tensile behaviour prediction of aluminium alloy 5083 friction stir welding joints

The asymmetric material flow, severe plastic deformation and thermal cycle imposed on the base material during friction stir welding (FSW) result in unique microstructural development, which causes a gradient in local mechanical properties in the weld region. Micro-tensile and indentation testing were applied to determine the local mechanical properties in a friction stir welded joint. The local stress–strain curves exhibited a drastic change at the advancing side (AS) due to a steep gradient of mechanical properties. Finite Element Model (FEM) predictions of the tensile performance of the welded joints, based on the local mechanical properties measured by micro-tensile testing, were in very good agreement with the macro-tensile test data.