The friction stir welding (FSW) process is a unique combination of deformation and high temperature, which provides opportunities to modify microstructures through the adjustment of the processing parameters and is an ideal way to join non-weldable aluminum alloys by avoiding the formation of a molten pool. The 7xxx series heat-treatable aluminum alloys are widely used in the aerospace field as high-performance structural materials. The microstructure evolution and mechanical performance of these alloys are affected by the effects of thermomechanical processing, which provides opportunities to optimize the material properties by controlling microstructural features such as intermetallic constituent particles, dispersoids and nanoscale precipitates. This paper focuses on the basic principles of the thermal and mechanical effects generated during FSW on the evolution of second-phase particles in different zones of the weld. Abstract The friction stir welding (FSW) process is a unique combination of deformation and high temperature, which provides opportunities to modify microstructures through the adjustment of the processing parameters and is an ideal way to join non-weldable aluminum alloys by avoiding the formation of a molten pool. The 7xxx series heat-treatable aluminum alloys are widely used in the aerospace field as high-performance structural materials. The microstructure evolution and mechanical performance of these alloys are affected by the effects of thermomechanical processing, which provides opportunities to optimize the material properties by controlling microstructural features such as intermetallic constituent particles, dispersoids and nanoscale precipitates. This paper focuses on the basic principles of the thermal and mechanical effects generated during FSW on the evolution of second-phase particles in different zones of the weld. Keywords: Al-Zn-Mg alloy; intermetallic constituent particles; dispersoids; strengthening precipitates; friction stir welding; microstructure evolution