Post-welding formability of AZ31 magnesium alloy

The plastic flow behaviour and formability of friction stir welded AZ31 magnesium alloys were widely investigated. Flow curves were obtained in extended ranges of temperature (250–350 °C) and strain rate (0.001–0.1 s−1) by means of uniaxial tensile tests; furthermore, forming limit curves were determined using the hemispherical punch method in the same range of temperature but with a constant crosshead speed of 0.1 mm/s. The results were compared with those obtained, under the same experimental conditions, on the base material. The flow stress levels of joint and base material are very similar up the peak of the flow curve although the equivalent strains at the peak and to failure are usually lower than those of base material. However, at the highest temperature and lowest strain rate investigated (350 °C and 0.001 s−1), the flow behaviour of the welded joint tends to be similar to the one of the base alloy. Finally, formability of the friction stir welded material, evaluated in terms of forming limit curves, is usually lower than the one of the base material.

Research highlights
► The post-welding formability of AZ31 magnesium alloy was investigated in temperature.
► Flow curve shape and stress levels of FSW and BM samples are similar up to the peak.
► The equivalent strain to failure of FSWed joint is lower than that of the base material.
► At the high T and low strain rate, FSWed and BM sheets show a similar ductility.
► Formability of the BM is higher than that of the FSWed joint.