We follow changes in the micro structure at several distances from the weld nugget of friction stir welded AlCuLi-alloy (AA2198) plates occurring due to the tool movement and the created heat by employing different methods: Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS), giving information on type, size and density of precipitates, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), giving information on formed precipitates by their dissolution signal, and positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS), being sensitive to vacancies and dislocations as well as to the formation and growth of precipitates. We start by characterizing the base material as a reference and proceed via the heat-affected zone to the weld nugget. By the use of complementary methods, we obtain information on structure, kind and distribution of precipitates and correlate this with hardness measurements.