Friction stir and pulsed current gas metal arc welding of AZ61A magnesium alloy: A comparative study

► Compared friction stir and pulsed current GTAW characteristics of magnesium alloy. ► UTS and YS of FSW joint are 12% and 18% higher than of P-GTAW joint. ► Intermetallic compounds are distributed uniformly in the FSW joints compared with P-GTAW. ► FSW joint have asymmetric microstructures, which are not observed in P-GTAW welded joint.