Effect of heat input on microstructure and mechanical properties of butt-welded dissimilar magnesium alloys joint

The effects of heat input on the microstructures and mechanical properties of tungsten inert gas (TIG) butt-welded AZ31/MB3 dissimilar Mg alloys joint were investigated by microstructural observations, microhardness testing and tensile testing. The results reveal that with the increase of heat input, the width of welding seam increases obviously and the grains both in the fusion zone and the heat affected zone coarsen during TIG welding process. The tensile strength of butt-welded joint increases with the increase of heat input and the maximum joining strength of 242 MPa is obtained with welding current of 90 A. However, lots of welding pores occur with the further increase of heat input, which results in the decrease of joining strength. It is experimentally demonstrated that robust joint can be obtained by TIG welding process.