T. Li, EWI, Columbus, OH; T. Trapp, Edison Welding Institute, Columbus, OH; E. Helder, GE Aircraft Engines, Cincinnati, OH

Summary:

Friction stir welding was used to join high strength L80 steel plates. Thermocouples were imbedded at various locations of the stir zone and heat-affected zone to understand the thermal history of the welds during FSW. The resultant microstructure and hardness profile of the welds were characterized. Mechanical properties of the welds including bend, tensile, and fracture were evaluated. The correlation between the thermal history of the welds and their microstructure and mechanical properties will be discussed.