The Influence of Friction Stir Welding of Dissimilar AZ31 and AZ91 Magnesium Alloys on the Microstructure and Tensile Properties

Abstract

Joining of magnesium alloys was successfully performed by friction stir welding (FSW) technique. This study was aimed in characterizing the microstructure developed after the FSW and its influence on the mechanical properties. The developed microstructure was observed by using optical microscopy, from the cross-sectional side of welded sample. In this study, FSWed of two dissimilar magnesium (Mg) alloy sheets with low aluminum (AZ31) and high aluminum (AZ91) content were successfully conducted at varied welding speed of 60, 80 and 100 mm/min and tools rotational rate of 800, 1000 and 1200 rpm. The microstructure consists of fine and equiaxed recrystallized grain structure especially at the stir zones. The result of the tensile test indicated that the grain size variation of the joint showed an effect on the mechanical properties and fracture location of the joint. An increasing trend of hardness profile revealed more amount of dissolution of aluminum at the stir zone. From the result, FSW can be concluded as effective joining technique for dissimilar magnesium alloys and produced a defect free joint.

Friction Stir Welding/Processing of Various Metals with Working Tools of Different Materials and Its Peculiarities for Titanium Alloys: A Review

“…Although Mg-Nd-Y type alloys are more effectively hardened by grain refinement than aluminum alloys, the effect of grain refinement can compensate for any loss of strength due to the dissolution of hardening precipitates [244]. When welding magnesium alloys, tools made of H13 tool steel [245][246][247] or EN31 steel [248] are mostly used. There are also studies where D2 steel [249], AISI Type-302 [250], SKD 61 [251], and GH4169 [252,253] were used as tool materials.…”

A Comparative Finite Element Effort for Detection of the Effect of Epoxy and Rubber Interlayers on Temperature and Force Induced Stress Behavior in Metallic Laminate Composites

“…Specific to Mg-based alloys, AZ91 and AZ31 series can be accepted as the most popular versions compared to the others [6]. As a result of the performance increase triggered by the alloy combination of aluminum, zinc, and magnesium, these AZ91 and AZ31 series are usually selected for automotive, aerospace, and marine applications [7].…”

Potential use of Friction Welding for Fabricating Semi-Biodegradable Bone Screws

“…As a result, many manufacturing and medical industries have utilized assembly (joining) methods to fabricate medical devices, where one of the commonly used processes is a welding technique [1]. A friction welding produces joints of exceptional quality [2] with little or no post-welding [3]. Despite the high quality of the joints, there are a number of advantages to friction welding, including low heat input, a small heataffected zone (HAZ), and low residual stress and distortion [4,5].…”