Effect of Enhanced Cooling on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Friction Stir Spot-Welded AZ31 Magnesium Alloy

Abstract

AZ31 magnesium alloy was friction stir spot welded in air and cooling in water. The effect of the enhanced cooling rate on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the joint was analyzed. The results showed that flowing water had obvious cooling effect instantaneously, which significantly restrained the growth of dynamic recrystallized grains. The average grain size in stir zone was 1.3μm in cooling water condition, which is far smaller than that of the joint prepared in air cooling condition. Under the condition of enhanced cooling, the microhardness in stir zone significantly increased, the ultimate tensile load (~ 3.99kN) increased by 15.7%, and the tensile deformation value (~ 3.65 mm) increased by 62.2%. Dimples in SEM fracture morphologies indicated the better plastic deformation capacity of joints prepared by cooling water, which failed through a mixture mode of ductile and brittle fracture.

The Influence of Heat and Cryogenic Treatment on Microstructure Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Laser-Welded AZ31B

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