Influence of Alclad layers on mechanical properties of friction stir welded 2024-T3 aluminium alloy thin sheets

Camille Wojciechowski; Christine Boher; Laurent Dubourg; Alexia Grosso

doi:10.1515/ijmr-2021-8643

Article

Influence of Alclad layers on mechanical properties of friction stir welded 2024-T3 aluminium alloy thin sheets

Camille Wojciechowski , Christine Boher , Laurent Dubourg and Alexia Grosso

Published/Copyright: August 4, 2025

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From the journal International Journal of Materials Research Volume 116 Issue 8

Abstract

Alclad sheets are used in aeronautics to resist corrosion. This paper presents the investigation of the effect of the Alclad on the mechanical properties of thin friction stir welds of 2024-T3 aluminium alloy (3 mm and 1 mm). The friction stir welding process is carried out on sheet metal without any surface preparation. Tensile tests, micro-hardness measurements, optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy observations are performed to identify the behaviour of the friction stir welds at local and macroscopic scales. The evolution of micro-hardness through the welds associated with literature results reliably describe precipitates in each area of the welds. Tensile test results combined with micrographic observations reveal that the Alclad layer is introduced by the pin into the alloy in a pointed shape. The weld fractures are clearly located in Alclad insertion zones. Independently of the state of the precipitates due to the friction stir welding parameters, Alclad insertions are responsible for the decrease in ductility of the welds.

Keywords: Friction stir welding; Alclad; mechanical properties; fracture location; microstructure evolutions

Corresponding author: Camille Wojciechowski, Research Engineer Avantis Project 12 Rue de Caulet, 31300 Toulouse, France; Institut Clément Ader (ICA), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, IMT Mines Albi, INSA, UPS, ISAE, Campus Jarlard, 81000 Albi, France; and AVANTIS PROJECT, Aéroparc, 12 Rue de Caulet, 31300 Toulouse, France, E-mail: camille.wojciechowski@avantis-group.com

Camille Wojciechowski and Christine Boher share senior authorship.

Acknowledgments

The project is realized in direct collaboration with STIRWELD, AVANTIS PROJECT and ARMINES/ICA. STIRWELD team is acknowledged for the design and manufacturing of the FSW head and AVANTIS PROJECT team is acknowledged for the realization of the welds in this project.

Research ethics: Not applicable.
Informed consent: Not applicable.
Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.
Conflict of interest: The authors state no conflict of interest.
Research funding: The project leading to this application has received funding from the Clean Sky 2 Joint Undertaking under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No 831833.
Data availability: Not applicable.

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Received: 2021-11-10

Accepted: 2025-03-05

Published Online: 2025-08-04

Published in Print: 2025-08-26

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Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/ijmr-2021-8643

Keywords for this article

Friction stir welding; Alclad; mechanical properties; fracture location; microstructure evolutions