Friction Stir Welding (FSW) was utilized to butt-join 2024-T4 aluminum alloy plates of 1.9 mm thickness, using tools with conical and tapered hexagonal probe profiles. The characteristic effects of FSW using tools with tapered hexagonal probe profiles include an increase in the heat input and a significant modification of material flow, which have a positive effect on the metallurgical characteristics and mechanical performance of the weld. The differences in mechanical properties were interpreted through macrostructural changes and mechanical properties of the welded joints, which were supported by numerical simulation results on temperature distribution and material flow. The material flow resulting from the tapered hexagonal probe was more complicated than that of the conical probe. If in the first case, the dynamic viscosity and strain rate are homogeneously distributed around the probe, but in the case of the tapered hexagonal probe tool, the zones with maximum values of strain rates and minimum values of dynamic viscosity are located along the six tapered edges of the probe.
Keywords: Al–Mg–Cu alloy; CFD modeling; friction stir welding (FSW); material flow; mechanical properties; microstructure evolution; probe profile.