Metallurgical characterization of a friction welded aluminum alloy subjected to an external electrostatic field

The effect of electrostatic fields on the microstructure and mechanical properties of friction welded joints of duralumin LY12CZ (approximately equivalent to ASTM 2024) was studied. The shape and distribution of the precipitation phase and the dislocations were determined. Formation of a small-sized precipitation phase and dispersive distribution was also promoted. In addition, the electrostatic field decreased dislocation density in the grains and entwining dislocation. The external electric field effect leads to increased weld joint hardness, and homogenizes the hardness distribution along the radial and axial directions. The possible reasons for the effects of the electrostatic field on the microstructure and mechanical properties are discussed in this paper.