Abstract
The article presents a structural analysis of joints of as-cast magnesium alloys created using three joining methods: friction stir welding, CO2 laser welding and electric arc welding in inert gas shielding using tungsten electrode (TIG). The macro- and microstructures of the butt joints have been evaluated using an optical microscope with a digital image recording system. Two types of magnesium alloys were used in the research: AZ91 and AM-Lite, the main alloying elements of which are zinc and aluminium. The starting material consisted of cast ingots milled to a specific dimension and then cut into plate samples with a thickness of 3 mm. The subsequent analysis showed that it is possible to achieve high-quality joints of magnesium alloys. However, trace quantities of pores have also been found.
Acknowledgements
The materials for this study were provided by Dr Christian Kettler, Advanced Magnesium Technologies (Australia), and Polmag Sp. z o.o. (Poland). The research was financed from the budget for the development of science in years 2010–2011 as research project no. N N508 582739.