Stephen J. Hales

Texture Evolution within the Thermomechanically Affected Zone of an Al-Li Alloy 2195 Friction Stir Weld

Friction stir welding (FSW) of Al-Li alloy 2195 plate produces strong texture gradients. The microstructural characteristics evolve from the base plate, through the thermomechanically affected zone (TMAZ), to the weld nugget interface. In the current study, electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) analyses were employed to quantify the spatial distribution of texture gradients associated with the evolution of texture within the TMAZ. The strong texture of the base plate enabled the texture evolution to be characterized as a function of location. Systematic partitioning of EBSD data relative to the degree of lattice rotation at each point accurately captured the crystallographic transitions across the advancing side TMAZ. Over a large section of this region, the texture evolves as a result of continuous rigid body rotations. The rigid body rotations were correlated with the complex material flow patterns commonly associated with the FSW process and prior observations of shear-related textures. Finally, a correlation between texture and fracture in a subscale tensile specimen is observed, where failure occurs within a visible band of low-Taylor factor grains.

Investigation of Abnormal Grain Growth in a Friction Stir Welded and Spin-Formed Al-Li Alloy 2195 Crew Module

In order to improve manufacturing efficiency and reduce structural mass and costs in the production of launch vehicle structures, NASA is pursuing a wide-range of innovative, near-net shape manufacturing technologies. A technology that combines friction stir welding (FSW) and spin-forming has been applied to manufacture a single-piece crew module using Aluminum-Lithium (Al-Li) alloy 2195. Plate size limitations for Al-Li alloy 2195 require that two plates be FSW together to produce a spin-forming blank of sufficient size to form the crew module. Subsequent forming of the FSW results in abnormal grain growth (AGG) within the weld region upon solution heat treatment (SHT), which detrimentally impacts strength, ductility, and fracture to ughness. The current study seeks to identify microstructural factors that contribute to the development of AGG. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) was used to correlate driving forces for AGG, such as stored energy, texture, and grain size distributions, with the propensity for AGG. Additionally, developmental annealing treatments prior to SHT are examined to reduce or eliminate the occurrence of AGG by promoting continuous or uniform grain growth.

Correlation of Fracture Behavior with Microstructure in Friction Stir Welded, and Spin-Formed Al-Li 2195 Domes

Single-piece, spin-formed domes manufactured from friction stir welded (FSW) plates of Al-Li alloy 2195 have the potential to reduce the cost of fabricating cryogenic propellant tanks. Mechanical properties in the completed domes can be related directly to the final material condition and the microstructures developed. However, these new fabrication techniques have resulted in unexpected material challenges, such as abnormal grain growth in the weld nugget and the propensity for fracture in the adjacent thermo-mechanically affected zone (TMAZ). In this study, the microstructure and texture transformations within the TMAZ are related to fracture location in the vicinity of the weldment. The texture variations in the TMAZ are caused primarily by the varying amounts of shear deformation introduced during the FSW process. Grain morphology and microtexture characteristics are examined as a function of location in the TMAZ via electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). A strong correlation between fracture location and the presence of texture banding in the TMAZ is observed. The fracture path tends to follow a distinct region of low Taylor Factor (TF) grains.