Microstructural evaluation of AA2198-T851 alloy welded by friction stir welding (FSW)

• Grant number: 16/10205-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2016
• End date: July 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Waldek Wladimir Bose Filho
• Grantee: Evandro Menassi Siqueira
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/13235-6 - Investigation on the localized corrosion and the fatigue corrosion resistance of high strength aluminum alloys joined by friction stir welding (FSW), AP.TEM

Abstract

The growth of the aerospace market is providing increasing competition among aircraft manufacturers, leading them to reduce operating costs and the search for creative solutions. Accordingly, there is a constant demand for materials and methods and more efficient processes for the reduction of weight and fuel consumption, increasing aircraft performance and contributing to the environment. Thus, new manufacturing processes have been studied and developed to replace traditional production methods for riveting, which has disadvantages such as a reduction in mechanical properties due to the holes through which the rivets, increasing structural weight and the acceleration of cracks fatigue [1]. As proposed solution, we can mention the friction stir welding, or simply "FSW". In order to increase knowledge in this process, this study aims to conduct a thorough and detailed analysis of AA2198-T851 alloy microstructure welded by friction-mixture through microscopy optical (OM), scanning eléctron microscopy (SEM), transmission eléctron microscopy (TEM), electron backscatter diraction (EBSD), of hardness profile and tensile test. These analyzes are aimed at a more comprehensive and reliable assessment of the feasibility of using this type of alloy and allow to predict the behavior of a joint of this type during the operation of an aircraft, as this research will provide the advance of knowledge to use this process in the structure of window frame, replacing the current riveting process.