Effects of welding speeds on the microstructural and mechanical properties of AZ91D Mg alloy by friction stir welding

Abstract

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.