Abstract Aluminum alloys of 7xxx series have excellent characteristics and mechanical properties, being widely used in primary aircraft structures. However, the welding of these alloys by conventional arc welding processes results in an excessive mechanical resistance degradation and increasing in residual stress level. In this context, Friction Stir Welding (FSW) process has received attention in recent years mainly because it does not reach the materials melting point during the process. This work aims to evaluate the influence of the tool rotation and welding speed on microstructure and mechanical properties of AA 7075-T651 aluminum alloy welded joints by FSW process. Therefore, four welded joints obtained with different welding and tool rotation speed were subjected to tensile and microhardness tests. The microstructures of the welded joints were evaluated through analysis by optical microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The retreating side of the welded joints showed a higher occurrence of microstructural welding defects. Welded joints with yield strength (YS) 50% higher than those of base metal and with ultimate tensile strength up to 380 MPa were achieved.

The objective of the present work was to evaluate welding of thin sheets (thickness < 1 mm) of similar and dissimilar NiTi alloys with AISI 304 stainless steel using the Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) process and to study the mechanical and metallurgical properties of the joints with and without post-welding heat treatment (PWHT). The GTAW process was chosen because it is more economical than the usual welding processes for NiTi alloys, such as the Laser Beam Welding (LBW). The welded joints were characterized by the techniques of SEM, OM, electrical resistance in temperature (ERT), tensile test and Vickers microhardness. It was observed that the dissimilar joints presented a brittle behavior due to the formation of brittle elements along the weld metal by the excessive increase of the hardness in this region with peaks of hardness higher than 900HV. Similar joints presented superior mechanical behavior, with extensive plastic deformation before rupture and fracture surface with ductile appearance. The PWHT in the similar joints promoted a decrease in the rigidity of the material by minimizing the thermal stresses from the welding process, the PWHT did not influence the dissimilar joints mechanical behavior.