Microstructure and corrosion properties of diode laser melted friction stir weld of aluminum alloy 2024 T351

▶ Effects of laser melting on a friction stir weld of aluminum alloy 2024 was studied. ▶ Melting produced fine microstructure at the surface free from precipitates. ▶ The melt zone exhibited epitaxially grown columnar grains. ▶ Immersion test (21 days) showed no pitting on melted region. ▶ The pit nucleation resistance was noticeably increased.