Fatigue lifetime and tearing resistance of AA2198 Al–Cu–Li alloy friction stir welds: Effect of defects

•The fatigue lives of sound and flaw bearing FSW of a Al–Cu–Li alloyare investigated.•The fatigue crack initiation mechanisms are identified with respect to the defects.•The crack behavior is interpreted in terms of fracture mechanics.•For GAP welds intergranular cracking is identified as initiation...

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