PurposeThe main purpose of the present work is to evaluate, the microstructural and mechanical properties of friction stir welded plates of AZ91D magnesium alloy with 3 mm thickness, and to determine the optimum range of welding conditions.Design/methodology/approachMicrostructure and fractographic studies were carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Vickers micro hardness test was performed to evaluate the hardness profile in the region of the weld area. The phases in the material were confirmed by X-Ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Transverse tensile tests were conducted using universal testing machine (UTM) to examine the joint strength of the weldments at different parameters.FindingsMetallographic studies revealed that each zone shown different lineaments depending on the mechanical and thermal conditions. Significant improvement in the hardness was observed between the base material and weldments. Transverse tensile test results of weldments had shown almost similar strength that of base material regardless of welding speed. Fractographic examination indicated that the welded specimens failed due to brittle mode fracture. Through these studies it was confirmed that friction stir welding (FSW) can be used for the welding of AZ91D magnesium alloy.Research limitations/implicationsIn the present study, the welding speed varied from 25 mm/min to 75 mm/min, tilt angle varied from 1.5° to 2.5° and constant rotational speed of 500 rpm.Practical implicationsMagnesium and aluminum based alloys which are having high strength and low density, used in automotive and aerospace applications can be successfully joined using FSW technique. The fusion welding defects can be eliminated by adopting this technique.Originality/valueLimited work had been carried out on the FSW of magnesium based alloys over aluminum based alloys. Furthermore, this paper analyses the influence of welding parameters over the microstructural and mechanical properties.
Friction stir welding (FSW) is an efficient technique which can be used particularly for magnesium and aluminum alloys that are difficult to fusion weld. In this work AZ91D Mg alloy plates 3mm thick were friction stir welded at different process variables such as rotational speed and welding speed. The range of rotational speeds varied from 1025 to 1525 rpm, and the welding speed varied from 25 to 75 mm/min. Good quality welds were obtained under 1025 rpm of rotational speed with the welding speeds range from 25 to 75 mm/min. The microstructure of the AZ91D alloy consists of primary α-phase, eutectic α-phase and eutectic β (Mg17Al12) phase in the received condition (gravity die cast). The original dendrite grain structure completely disappeared and was transformed to fine equiaxed grains in stir zone (SZ). It was observed that there was a slight increase in hardness in SZ, because of fine recrystallized grain structure. The transverse tensile test results of weld specimens indicated constant strength irrespective of traveling speed. Fractrographic analysis of the friction stir welded specimens showed the brittle failure.
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