Microstructure and mechanical properties of friction stir lap welded Mg/Al joint assisted by stationary shoulder

Using magnesium alloy as upper sheet, 3 mm-thick AZ31 magnesium alloy and 6061 aluminum alloy were joined using friction stir lap welding assisted by stationary shoulder. The effects of tool rotating speed on cross-sections, microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg/Al lap joints were mainly discussed. Results showed that stationary shoulder contributed to joint formation, by which stir zones (SZ) were characterized by big onion rings after welding. Because of the big forging force exerted by stationary shoulder, the upper region of hook was well bonded. SZ showed much higher hardness because of intermetallic compounds (IMCs). The bonding conditions at the base material (BM)/SZ interface at advancing side and the hook region played important roles on joint lap shear properties. The X-ray diffraction pattern analysis revealed that the main IMCs were Al₃Mg₂ and Al₁₂Mg₁₇.     

Electrochemical corrosion behaviour of stir zone of friction stir welded dissimilar joints of AA6061 aluminium–AZ31B magnesium alloys

Joining of dissimilar metals will offer many advantages in transportation sectors such as fuel consumption, weight reduction and emission reduction. However, joining of aluminium (Al) alloys with magnesium (Mg) alloys by fusion welding process is very complicated. Friction stir welding (FSW) is a feasible method to join these two dissimilar alloys. Mixing these two metals together in stir zone (SZ) leads to poor corrosion resistance. In this investigation, an attempt has been made to understand the corrosion resistance of SZ of FSWed dissimilar joints of AA6061 Al alloy and AZ31B Mg alloy. Potentiodynamic polarization test was conducted by varying chloride ion concentration, pH value of the NaCl solution and exposure time. The corroded surfaces were analyzed using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and XRD techniques. Of these three factors investigated, exposure time is found to be the most significant factor to influence the corrosion behaviour of SZ of friction stir welded dissimilar joints of Al/Mg alloys.     

静轴肩辅助铝镁搅拌摩擦搭接接头的组织与性能

文中将静止轴肩技术应用到铝镁异种合金的搅拌摩擦搭接过程中,并分析了焊接速度对接头成形和力学性能的影响.结果表明,静止轴肩能够增强上下板之间的材料交换,焊后搅拌区呈较大的洋葱环形貌,其内部分布大量的金属间化合物;搭接面处发生良好的冶金结合.由于生成金属间化合物,洋葱环区域的显微硬度值明显高于接头其它区域.X射线衍射结果表明,金属间化合物的主要成分是Al₃Mg₂和Al₁₂Mg₁₇.接头的抗拉强度随着焊接速度的增加呈先上升后下降的趋势,最大值在焊接速度为40 mm/min时取得.     

Preparation of bimetallic nano-composite by dissimilar friction stir welding of copper to aluminum alloy

Butt friction stir welding between pure copper and AA5754 alloy was carried out. Reinforcing SiC nano- particles were utilized in friction stir welded (FSW) joints to decline the harmful effects of intermetallic compounds. Tensile tests, micro-hardness experiments, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis were applied to studying the properties of welded joints. The joints with a travel speed of 50 mm/min and a rotation speed of 1000 r/min showed the best results. The presence of nano-sized SiC particles reduced the grain size of aluminum and copper in the stir zone (SZ) from 38.3 and 12.4 μm to 12.9 and 5.1 μm, respectively. The tensile strength of the joint in the presence of reinforcing SiC nano-particles was ~240 MPa, which is ～90% of that for the aluminum base. Furthermore, the highest microhardness of the weld zone was significantly increased from HV 160 to HV 320 upon the addition of SiC nano-particles. The results also showed that raising the heat generation in FSW joints increased the amount of Al₄Cu₉ and Al₂Cu intermetallic compounds.     

温度峰值影响6061铝/AZ31B镁异种材料FSW接头成形的规律

以6061-T6铝合金与AZ31B镁合金为研究对象,基于Abaqus软件进行了异种材料搅拌摩擦焊过程的温度场数值模拟,重点分析搅拌针偏置镁侧下的搅拌区温度峰值影响焊缝表面成形的规律。结果表明,当焊接温度峰值高于Al-Mg共晶温度时,搅拌针根部附近区域会出现较明显的黏着现象,其随着焊接速度的降低而加剧,这与焊接温度峰值的升高相关。随着焊接速度的增加,焊缝表面更易避免裂纹缺陷的产生。当搅拌头的转速为1200r/min且焊接速度为40mm/min时,6061铝/AZ31B镁异种材料焊接接头的表面成形良好。     

Formation of intermetallic compounds in Al and Mg alloy interface during friction stir spot welding

The spot welding of Al plate to Mg plate was produced by friction stir spot welding using various tool rotation speed and duration time of the tool to investigate the effects of the welding parameters on the reaction of Al and Mg alloy. The interface microstructure and phase were investigated using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The mechanical properties of the joints are evaluated using tensile test. Experimental results show that intermetallic compounds were formed in the interface of the Al and Mg alloys. The thickness of intermetallic compounds layer increases with increasing tool rotation speed and duration time, and has a significant effect on the strengths of the joints. Heavy thickness of intermetallic compounds layer seriously deteriorates the mechanical properties of the joints. The intermetallic compounds layer mainly contains Al₃Mg₂ and Al₁₂Mg₁₇     

Microstructural and mechanical properties of friction stir welded aluminum/copper lap joints

This paper focuses on the microstructural and mechanical properties of the friction stir welding (FSW) of 1060 aluminum alloy to a commercially pure copper. A number of FSW experiments were carried out to obtain the optimum mechanical properties by adjusting the rotational speed and welding speed in the range of 750–1500 rpm and 30–375 mm/min, respectively. Various microstructures with different morphologies and properties were observed in the stir zone. The results indicated that Al₄Cu₉, AlCu and Al₂Cu are the main intermetallic compounds formed in the interfacial region. The effect of formation of hard and brittle intermetallic phase at the interface of the joints on the shear strength of the joint is discussed.     

Peak temperatures and microstructures in aluminium and magnesium alloy friction stir spot welds

Abstract

The peak temperatures during friction stir spot welding of similar and dissimilar aluminium and magnesium alloys are investigated. The peak temperatures attained during friction stir spot welding of Al 6111, Al 2024, and AZ91 are within 6% of their solidus temperatures. In dissimilar AZ91/Al 6111 spot welds the peak temperature corresponds with the α-Mg solid solution and Mg₁₇Al₁₂ eutectic temperature of 437°C. An a-Mg plus Mg₁₇Al₁₂ eutectic microstructure is produced in dissimilar friction stir spot welds when material displaced during pin penetration into the lower sheet material contacts the upper sheet material at the eutectic temperature.     

Joining of Al 6061 alloy to AISI 1018 steel by combined effects of fusion and solid state welding

The joining of a 6-mm thickness Al 6061 to AISI 1018 steel has been performed by the combined effects of fusion and solid state welding. The process is derived from friction stir welding (FSW) but with an adjustable offset of the probe location with respect to the butt line. Metallographic studies by optical microscopy, electron probe microscopy, and the utilization of the X-ray diffraction technique have been conducted. It was found that the intermetallic phases Al₁₃Fe₄ and Al₅Fe₂ exist in the weld zone. The tool was significantly worn during welding and is broken after traveling 100 mm at a rotational speed of 917 rpm. The wear of the tool significantly affects the structure of the weld, and the tool breakage was detected by the incorporated acoustic emission (AE) sensors. It appears that the joining of an Al 6061 alloy to AISI 1018 steel with a sound heterogeneous weld microstructure is feasible using this process, and the tool breakage can be detected by the AE sensing technique.     

Al-Mg-Mn-Sc-Zr合金板材搅拌摩擦焊和氩弧焊焊接接头的对比

研究Al-Mg-Mn-Sc-Zr合金的焊接工艺和焊接接头组织和性能。采用搅拌摩擦焊（FSW）和氩弧焊（TIG）2种焊接工艺对该合金的热轧和冷轧-退火2种使用态板材进行焊接。采用比较研究的方法测定和研究焊接接头的力学性能和显微组织,利用光学显微镜和透射电子显微镜研究焊缝的显微组织和力学性能之间的关系。结果表明,与基材相比,Al-Mg-Mn-Sc-Zr合金的热轧和冷轧-退火板材的FSW和TIG焊接接头的强度均下降,但FSW焊接系数高于TIG焊接系数。这是因为FSW焊接接头焊核区亚结构强化的丧失和Al3（Sc,Zr）的析出强化作用的极少量丧失,而TIG焊焊接接头的软化主要原因是其形变强化的完全丧失和Al3（Sc,Zr）的析出强化作用的大部分丧失,且搅拌摩擦焊焊核区晶粒比TIG焊的焊缝区晶粒更细小。     

热处理条件对搅拌摩擦镁合金接头各区域抗弹行为的影响

采用搅拌摩擦焊(FSW)工艺制备AZ31B镁合金焊接接头,并在不同条件下进行热处理。研究AZ31B镁合金焊后热处理(PWHT)不同区域的抗弹行为,使用7.62 mm×39 mm穿甲弹,冲击速度为(430±20)m/s。分析热处理前后搅拌摩擦焊接头的显微硬度。结果表明,PWHT工艺(250°C,1 h)能提高热处理后搅拌摩擦焊接头的显微硬度。扫描电镜(SEM)结果显示,热处理使α-Mg晶粒细化,形成细小的析出相,使β-Mg17Al12相溶解到Mg基体中。通过穿深(DOP)试验评估PWHT不同区域的抗弹行为。热处理后接头母材区(BMZ)的DOP值较小。抗弹试验后对弹坑周边3个区域的横截面进行SEM表征,观察到绝热剪切带(ASB)的形成。     

Effect of intermetallics on susceptibility of Mg alloy welds to liquation cracking

ABSTRACT

The circular-patch welding test was used to study the liquation and liquation cracking of AZ-series Mg alloys. A heat treatment was carried out on the as-received AZ91 alloy to dissolve the γ(Mg₁₇Al₁₂) particles before welding. The circular-patch welding test was then conducted on the heat-treated, as-received AZ91 alloy using AZ61 and AZ91 filler wires. The results showed that the susceptibility of AZ91 alloy to liquation and liquation cracking was significantly reduced by the dissolution of massive γ(Mg₁₇Al₁₂) particles via a heat treatment before welding as the liquation mechanism was changed. Both constitutional liquation and incipient melting occurred in the partially melted zone of the as-received AZ91 welds, while only incipient melting occurred in the heat-treated AZ91 welds.     

AZ91D镁合金搅拌摩擦焊接头组织与性能

采用搅拌摩擦焊对AZ91D镁合金进行焊接试验,研究了搅拌摩擦焊接头的组织与性能.结果表明,当转速为1 000～1 400 r/min、焊速为50～150 mm/min时,均可得到表面成形良好、内部无孔洞和隧道的焊缝;焊接区与母材组织差异极大,焊接区形成细小、均匀的再结晶组织,具有锻造组织特征;热影响区为部分再结晶组织,再结晶晶粒沿原铸造晶粒的晶界生长;对接头进行拉伸试验,断裂发生在母材处,表明接头的抗拉强度高于母材.     

Friction stir welding of AZ31 magnesium alloy rolled sheets: Influence of processing parameters

The temperature evolution during friction stir welding (FSW) and the resulting residual stresses of AZ31 Mg alloy were studied to get a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in this process. The relationship between the processing parameters, the heat and plastic deformation produced and the resulting microstructure and mechanical properties was investigated. Increasing the shoulder diameter or the tool rotation speed or decreasing the welding speed produced an increase in the heat generated during the process and then promoted grain growth. The temperature distribution on the advancing side and on the retreating side differed, and stress levels were higher on the retreating side. The grain size heterogeneity produced by FSW was not the prevailing cause of failure.     

Evolution of Quasicrystals and Long-Period Stacking Ordered Structures During Severe Plastic Deformation and Mixing of Dissimilar Mg Alloys Upon Friction Stir Welding

Microstructural evolution during severe plastic deformation and mixing of Mg_(95.8)Zn_(3.6)Gd_(0.6) and Mg_(97)Cu_1Y_2(at%) alloys upon friction stir welding was studied.A laminated onion-ring structure composed of alternative distribution of layers with significantly refined microstructures from diff erent alloys was formed in the stirred zone.Coarse quasicrystals were broken up and dispersed with most of them being transformed into cubic W-phase particles,and thick 18 R long-period stacking ordered plates were fractured and transformed into fine 14 H-LPSO lamellae in the stirred zone(SZ) experiencing complex material flow under high strain rate.Fine W-phase particles and 14 H-LPSO lamellae formed during dissimilar friction stir welding(FSW) usually have no specific orientation relationship with surrounding Mg matrix.Chemical measurements demonstrated occurrence of interdiff usion between dissimilar layers in the SZ.Phase transformation was observed for some particles of quasicrystals and long-period stacking ordered(LPSO) in regions slightly outside the SZ.An ultimate tensile strength of ～ 415 MPa and an elongation to failure of ～ 27.8%,both exceeding those of base materials,were obtained in the SZ,due to microstructural refinement and formation of a laminated structure.     

Friction stir welding of AZ31 magnesium alloys processed by equal channel angular pressing

Equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) is an effective thermo-mechanical process to make ultrafine grains.An investigation was carried out on the friction stir welding (FSW) of ECAPed AZ31 magnesium alloys with a thickness of 15 mm.For different process parameters,the optimum FSW conditions of ECAPed AZ31 magnesium alloys were examined.The basic characterization of weld formation and the mechanical properties of the joints were discussed.The results show that the effect of welding parameters on welding quality was evident and welding quality was sensitive to welding speed.Sound joints could be obtained when the welding speed was 37.5 mm/min and the rotation speed of the stir tool was 750 r/min.The maximum tensile strength (270 MPa) of FSW was 91% that of the base materials.The value of microhardness varied between advancing side and retreating side because of the speed field near the pin of the stir tool,which weakened the deformed stress field.The value of microhardness of the welding zone was lower than that of the base materials.The maximum value was located near the heat-affected zone (HAZ).Remarkable ductile character was observed from the fracture morphologies of welded joints.     

带状组织对铝/镁异种金属搅拌摩擦焊接头力学性能的影响

采用搅拌摩擦焊(FSW)对厚度为4 mm的6061铝合金与AZ31B镁合金进行不同工艺的平板对接试验. 采用光学显微镜(OM)、扫描电镜(SEM)、X射线衍射仪(XRD)及能谱仪(EDS)对接头进行微观组织观察,采用电子万能试验机对接头力学性能进行测试. 结果表明,在接头焊核区(WNZ)中存在着明显的带状组织,带状组织是由插入镁基体中的铝合金条以及弥散分布在条带上的金属间化合物(IMCs)组成;IMCs主要为Al₁₂Mg₁₇和Al₃Mg₂;铝/镁异种金属FSW接头裂纹形核和扩展均发生在带状组织内;焊接工艺影响带状组织形态和IMCs尺寸及数量;随着转速(n)的增加或焊接速度(v)的降低,带状组织呈弯曲状,长度相对较短且呈不连续分布;当转速(n)过高或焊接速度(v)过低时,带状组织变细,但IMCs数量增多且尺寸变大;铝/镁异种金属FSW接头强度主要取决于带状组织形态和IMCs尺寸及数量.     

AZ31B镁合金水环境搅拌摩擦焊接研究

对比研究了AZ31B镁合金空气环境搅拌摩擦焊接(Friction Stir Welding,FSW)和水环境搅拌摩擦焊接(Submerged Friction Stir Welding,SFSW)接头的微观组织与力学性能。结果表明:SFSW接头焊核区为细小等轴状再结晶晶粒。随着焊接速度的增大,焊核区晶粒尺寸增大,显微硬度值降低。FSW接头表层处的显微组织比中心处粗大,且分布不均匀;而SFSW接头表层处的显微组织比中心处明显细小。FSW接头的表层硬度值低于中心处的硬度;而SFSW接头的表层硬度值高于中心处的硬度。当旋转速度为950r·min-1、焊接速度为75mm·min-1时,SFSW接头的抗拉强度值达到最大,为母材强度的72%,拉伸断口表现为解理断裂特征。     

Simulation and experimental study of dynamic recrystallization process during friction stir vibration welding of magnesium alloys

A two-dimensional cellular automaton (CA) model was utilized to analyze the effect of mechanical vibration on microstructure evolution of AZ91 alloy during friction stir welding (FSW). The simulated results, namely grain topology, grain size distribution, average grain size, and also the dynamic recrystallization (DRX) fraction were compared with measured data. The adequate comparability between FEM and experimental data shows that the CA method can be applied to the analysis of the microstructure progression during the friction stir welding of AZ91 alloy. It is concluded that the dislocation density during the friction stir vibration welding (FSVW) is higher than that in the FSW process and the process of nucleation and grain growth is faster for samples during FSVW compared to FSW. The grain size modification and DRX phenomenon with various vibration frequencies were also simulated in detail during FSVW. It is found that vibration makes nucleation start earlier and decreases the proportion of the incubation period and the percentage of recrystallization as vibration frequency improves.     

Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of TIG and FSW Joints of a New Al-Mg-Mn-Sc-Zr Alloy

A new Al-5.8%Mg-0.4%Mn-0.25%Sc-0.10%Zr (wt.%) alloy was successfully welded by tungsten inert gas (TIG) and friction stir welding (FSW) techniques, respectively. The mechanical properties and microstructure of the welded joints were investigated by microhardness measurements, tensile tests, and microscopy methods. The results show that the ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation to failure are 358, 234 MPa, and 27.6% for TIG welded joint, and 376, 245 MPa and 31.9% for FSW joint, respectively, showing high strength and superior ductility. The TIG welded joint fails in the heat-affected zone and the fracture of FSW joint is located in stirred zone. Al-Mg-Mn-Sc-Zr alloy is characterized by lots of dislocation tangles and secondary coherent Al₃(Sc,Zr) particles. The superior mechanical properties of the TIG and FSW joints are mainly derived from the Orowan strengthening and grain boundary strengthening caused by secondary coherent Al₃(Sc,Zr) nano-particles (20-40 nm). For new Al-Mg-Mn-Sc-Zr alloy, the positive effect from secondary Al₃(Sc, Zr) particles in the base metal can be better preserved in FSW joint than in TIG welded joint.