Status and prospect of friction stir welding of magnesium alloys

As magnesium alloy had low density, high specific strength and good thermal conductivity, its application prospect in automotive, rail transit, weapon industry is very broad. However, its traditional joint method such as riveting and fusion welding had a poor quality to limit application. Friction stir welding (FSW) had an incomparable advantage compared with traditional joint; therefore, FSW of magnesium alloy attracted wide attention. In this article, fundamental principles of friction-stir welding and influencing factors of welded joint quality were briefly introduced. Research development on microstructure of weld joints, mechanical properties of friction stir welds and material plastic flow in FSW of magnesium alloys were summarized. And it indicated research achievement and insufficience. Also it was pointed out that testing standard of mechanical properties and real flow should be further investigated. Finally, the prospect of FSW of magnesium alloys was brought forward, including the welding of dissimilar materials, the stir tool optimization design and numerical simulation etc. ©, 2014, Editorial Office of Chinese Journal of Rare Metals. All right reserved.