Friction Stir Welding (FSW) is known to result in a complex microstructural development with features that remain unexplained such as: the formation of the onion rings structure. Moreover various microstructural factors have been suggested to control the strength in Al-Mg AA5xxx welds without identifying their relative contribution. Furthermore the influence of the basemetal microstructural parameters (e.g. grains intermetallic particles stored energy) on the microstructure-property development has not been previously investigated. These issues are addressed in the present study.