Friction Stir and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding of ZM21 Magnesium Alloy

Abstract:

Magnesium alloy ZM21 plates were welded using friction stir welding, a solid state process and gas tungsten arc welding which is a fusion welding process. Defect free, full penetration welds were obtained after several trials using different process parameters. The effect of welding processes on mechanical properties of Mg-Zn-Mn joints were evaluated using tensile tests, bend test, vickers micro hardness measurements and optical microscopy. Welds produced by Friction stir welding process exhibited superior tensile properties compared to Gas Tungsten Arc Welding process. Hardness reduction in the weld metals were observed for both the welding techniques. Friction stir welds showed finer grains in the weld nugget and in the heat affected zone. Both types of welds exhibited good bend ductility comparable to that of the base material. It has been concluded that both the processes are well suited to obtain sound welds of the magnesium alloy ZM21 and Friction stir welding process offers stronger welds.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volume 909)
• Pages: 77-82
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.909.77
• Online since: March 2014
• Authors: Hari Krishna Kallipudi*, Rama Koteswara Rao Sajja, Venkata V. Subba Rao
• Keywords: Friction Stir Welding (FSW), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, Magnesium Alloy, Mechanical Property

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