Effect of natural aging on the tensile properties and the toughness of friction stir welds of 2024-T3 aluminum alloy

During friction stir welding of metallic alloys, four different microstructure zones are formed in the weld, resulting in heterogeneous mechanical properties in this latter. In the case of aluminum alloys, these properties are bound to change with aging, whether natural or artificial. In this study, changes in the toughness and tensile behavior of friction stir welds in Al 2024-T3 alloy over time are investigated. Only specimens found to be defect free, by X-ray imaging, are tested. Characterized by the area under the stress-strain curve of the material, the toughness is found to be 19% lower after 24 months of natural aging. This decrease in toughness is mainly due to a loss of ductility as the elongation of the material drops by 27% while the ultimate tensile strength increases by 9%. The fracture zone and pattern remain the same for both natural aged and freshly welded specimens. These results can be used to estimate the service life of structures using such a material, as in aeronautics.