Assessment of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Stir Zone Seam of Friction Stir Welded Magnesium AZ31B through Nano-SiC

Abstract

In the present study, silicon carbide nanoparticles were incorporated into AZ31B magnesium alloy welded joints using the friction stir welding technique at five different stir zone volume fractions. The volume percentage of nano-SiC was varied from 0–20% in increments of 4%. Initially, the microstructure analyses of the V4, V8, and V12 welded joints were observed to be in good accordance with a homogeneous dispersion of nano SiC particles within the stir zone (SZ). Moreover, the particle’s agglomeration and large cluster size were found in the SZ due to insufficient heat generation of the specimen’s V16 and V20 during friction stir welding (FSW). Furthermore, the tensile and microhardness test was conducted, and the results indicate that the volume fractions increase along with the ultimate tensile strength and average microhardness, which increases up to 12% SiC addition (V12). With this effect, the fracture morphology was examined in the nano-composite joints that revealed a brittle fracture mode, which was observed in specimens V16 and V20, and the remaining was in the ductile fracture mode. From this investigation, a significant enhancement was found in the weld nugget zone that the tensile strength value of the V12 specimen was improved by 21% compared to the welded joint without SiC.