| Abstract | Friction stir welding (FSW) is an attractive option to join magnesium alloys, one of the lightest metals for structural applications. In this work, the effect of welding speed ranging from 5 to 30 mm/s on lap joint quality of 2-mm thick AZ31B-H24 magnesium alloy was investigated in terms of weld defects, microstructure, hardness and tensile shear properties. The influence of welding speed on welding defects such as hooking and kissing bond is discussed in detail. Also, the evolution of the microstructure, hardness and tensile shear load as a function of welding speed are studied. The welding process of the lap joints for 2-mm thick AZ31 magnesium alloy was optimized based on the minimization of the hooking defect and the maximization of the tensile shear strength. Sound lap joints with good surface quality, low distortion, lack of cavity and crack defects, with minor hooking and kissing bond, and with high tensile shear strength were successfully obtained indicating the great potential of FSW technique for magnesium alloys. |
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