The microstructure of a dissimilar AA2024 - Cu linear friction joint is investigated at a fine scale.
A phenomenological mechanism of material flow is proposed.
Al2Cu, AlCu, Al2Cu3, Al4Cu9 as well as two metastable phases are identified.
The interfacial zone presents ideal crystallographic shear texture components.
The intermetallic compounds are harmful for the tensile properties of the joint.