Solid state joining of magnesium by friction stir welding (FSW) and friction spot welding (FSpW)

• Grant number: 11/09657-7
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: September 01, 2011
• End date: August 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Nelson Guedes de Alcântara
• Grantee: Nelson Guedes de Alcântara
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Ivan Moroz ; João Luis Bilia Lopes ; Leonardo Contri Campanelli

Abstract

The recent concern about climate change has stimulated research into energy efficiency of means of transport in order to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. One of the main solutions to this issue is to reduce the structural weight through the application of new materials, such as lightweight alloys of magnesium, which have low density (the lowest among structural metals) and high specific strength. However, new uses are often limited by the difficulty of joining these materials. The solid state welding techniques, such as friction stir welding process (FSW) and friction spot welding process (FSpW), emerge as a viable alternative to replace or complement the established joining technologies. Since the welds are produced below the melting point of the material, the generation of heat input is smaller and hence microstructural changes and mechanical degradations associated with changes in temperature are reduced. The purpose of this work is to study the possibility of joining the AZ31 magnesium alloy by the solid state processes previously mentioned, evaluating the macro/microstructural features and mechanical properties of joints produced in different combinations of process parameters. The work is conducted in an international partnership with the German research center Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht (HZG), former GKSS, one of the world references in solid state welding. (AU)