Forging of Mg/Al bimetallic handle using explosive welded feedstock

The paper presents the results of investigation into the possibility of employing the forging process to produce aluminium-clad magnesium products. The purpose of the investigation was to develop and implement the technology of Mg/Al bimetal feedstock screw press forging and to compare the corrosion resistance of the product with that of an identical product made of a magnesium alloy. The feedstock was round 22.5 mm-diameter and 160 mm-length Mg/Al bars that had been produced using the explosive welding method. As an example product, a door handle used in helicopter production was selected. For comparison purposes, the door handle was also forged of magnesium alloy AZ31. After the forging process, the both products were subjected to corrosion resistance testing. From the obtained results it was found that the forging of the assumed quality could be made in the process of forging on the screw press, and that the use of the aluminium cladding layer only slightly increased the mass of the finished products, while substantially improving its corrosion resistance.