Evolution of Rolling Strengthened Structures and Properties for Friction Stir Welded Joints of the Al-Li Alloy

MA Kang; LIU Xu; CHENG Qi; ZHANG Huijie; ZHANG Ruibo; ZHOU Xiangyu

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.08.018

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Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering ›› 2026, Vol. 18 ›› Issue (8) : 199-206. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.08.018

Advanced Joining Technology

Evolution of Rolling Strengthened Structures and Properties for Friction Stir Welded Joints of the Al-Li Alloy

MA Kang¹, LIU Xu^1,*, CHENG Qi², ZHANG Huijie², ZHANG Ruibo¹, ZHOU Xiangyu¹

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Abstract

The work aims to investigate the effect law of rolling treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of 2195-T8 Al-Li alloy friction stir welded joints, analyze the evolution mechanism of the microstructure, and elucidate the effect of microstructural evolution on the tensile properties and microhardness of the joints. A specialized rolling tool was used to perform the rolling treatment on the friction stir welded joints of 2195-T8 Al-Li alloy. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the joints before and after rolling treatment were analyzed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), and a universal testing machine. Compared with the unrolled joint, the joint subjected to rolling at a speed of 200 mm/min exhibited a reduction in average grain size from 75.78 μm to 61.15 μm, and the maximum axial length of the blocky strengthening phases decreased from 0.98 μm to 0.28 μm, and the number of strengthening phases increased. Meanwhile, the tensile strength of the joints increased from 404 MPa to 442 MPa, and the average microhardness in the stir zone increased from 112.5HV to 121.5HV. However, due to the increased number of grain boundaries and strengthening phases after rolling, the hindrance to dislocation movement was enhanced, resulting in a decrease in the joint's elongation. Rolling treatment can refine the grains and strengthening phases of 2195-T8 Al-Li alloy friction stir welded joints and increase the number of strengthening phases, thereby improving the tensile strength and microhardness of the joint, but reducing its elongation at the same time.

Key words

rolling strengthening / aluminum-lithium alloy / friction stir welding / microstructure / mechanical property

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MA Kang, LIU Xu, CHENG Qi, ZHANG Huijie, ZHANG Ruibo, ZHOU Xiangyu. Evolution of Rolling Strengthened Structures and Properties for Friction Stir Welded Joints of the Al-Li Alloy[J]. Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering. 2026, 18(8): 199-206 https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.08.018

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