Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Friction Stir-Welded Mg-2Nd-0.3Zn-0.4Zr Magnesium Alloy

A 2 mm thick Mg-2Nd-0.3Zn-0.4Zr (NZ20K) and AZ31 plates were friction stir welded. The microstructures of joint were compared and the tensile properties at room temperature and 200 °C were measured. The fracture features and the microhardness of joints were investigated. The effect of the strengthening phases in NZ20K joint was discussed compared with AZ31 joint. The results indicate that NZ20K shows better property especially at high-temperature environment. The grain of NZ20K in the nugget zone (NZ) is refined obviously with uniform distribution of strengthening phase particles and it shows clear boundary between NZ and thermo-mechanically affected zone (TMAZ). The grains of TMAZ are elongated because of the stir action of tool pin. The heat-affected zone is narrow with coarse grains. Mg₁₂Nd is the main strengthening phase in NZ20K joint through XRD analysis. The ultimate tensile strength of NZ20K joint decreases a little from room temperature to 200 °C for its main strengthening phase particle-Mg₁₂Nd being stable when the temperature goes up. On the contrast, the ultimate tensile strength of AZ31 joint decreases a lot at 200 °C for its strengthening phase soften or dissolve at high temperature. The hardness of NZ20K joint is higher than AZ31 joint and the lowest hardness of both joints is achieved on the advancing side where the fracture occurred.