Investigations of friction stir welds between 5083 and 7075 aluminum alloys using EBSD and X-ray techniques

Microstructure and texture of the friction stir welded 5083 and 7075 aluminum alloys were characterized by means of the electron backscatter diffraction and X-ray techniques. A complex vortex-like microstructure with distinctive bands of the both joint materials was found in the centre of the weld. The alternating bands filled roughly equiaxed dynamically recrystallized grain volumes. The grain size was slightly smaller in bands of the alloy 7075 than in bands of the alloy 5083. Grains in the thermomechanically affected zone were elongated, especially on the retreating side of the weld (7075 alloy). On the other hand, the grain shape in the heat affected zone was similar to that for the base material.