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Effects of solution and aging treatments on microstructures and mechanical properties of AZ61 magnesium alloy welded joints

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Abstract

The effects of solution and aging treatments on the microstructures and mechanical properties of tungsten inert gas arc welded AZ61 magnesium alloy joints were investigated by microstructural observations, microhardness tests and tensile tests. The results showed that the solution treatment led to the β-Mg17Al12 particles dissolved into the α-Mg grains. Hence, the microhardness of the fusion zone and the ultimate tensile strength of the welded joints were the lowest. With the increase of the aging temperature, the volume fraction of the β-Mg17Al12 particles in the fusion zone increased and this enhanced the microhardness of the fusion zone gradually. Also, the elongation of the welded joints was increased slightly with the increase of the volume fraction of the β-Mg17Al12 particles. However, the ultimate tensile strength of the welded joints increased at first and dropped at 190 °C due to cracks formed at the boundaries of the β-Mg17Al12 particles.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Materials Science & Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China

    Jun Shen & Nan Xu

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  1. Jun Shen
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  2. Nan Xu
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Correspondence to Jun Shen.

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Shen, J., Xu, N. Effects of solution and aging treatments on microstructures and mechanical properties of AZ61 magnesium alloy welded joints. Rare Metals 31, 12–16 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12598-012-0453-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12598-012-0453-3

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