Paweł Kołodziejczak

Structure of butt joint of as-cast magnesium alloys

The article presents a structural analysis of joints of as-cast magnesium alloys created using three joining methods: friction stir welding, CO2 laser welding and electric arc welding in inert gas shielding using tungsten electrode (TIG). The macro- and microstructures of the butt joints have been evaluated using an optical microscope with a digital image recording system. Two types of magnesium alloys were used in the research: AZ91 and AM-Lite, the main alloying elements of which are zinc and aluminium. The starting material consisted of cast ingots milled to a specific dimension and then cut into plate samples with a thickness of 3 mm. The subsequent analysis showed that it is possible to achieve high-quality joints of magnesium alloys. However, trace quantities of pores have also been found.

Friction stir welding of AZ-91 and AM-Lite magnesium alloys

The objective of this paper was to report the results of butt joint quality of friction stir welding (FSW) of samples of alloys of MgAlZn group. Welding has been carried out with the FSW tool of welding speed ranging from 140 to 355 mm/min. In the stir zone and the surrounding, neither porosity nor cracks have been obtained. Microhardness in the stir zone increased for all welds when compared to the base metals, as a consequence of the high grain refinement and increased precipitations at the grain boundaries. The decrease in plastic properties of metal in these regions is expected. The results show a strong relationship between properties of joints and welding parameters.