Experimental and numerical analysis on FSWed magnesium alloy thin sheets obtained using “pin” and “pinless” tool

The present investigation aims at studying the effect of different tool geometries and process parameters on FSW of thin sheets in AZ31 magnesium alloy. In particular two properly designed tools, with shoulder diameters equal to 8 and 19 mm, were used; each of them was manufactured both in pin and pinless configurations. The effect of the different tool configurations and sizes, and welding parameters on mechanical properties of FSWed joints were analyzed in detail. The results were compared with those obtained on the base material. It was shown that FSWed joints are characterized by strength and ductility values lower than those of base material. Furthermore, the pin tool configuration, with a shoulder diameter of 8 mm, leads to the obtaining of strength and ductility values higher than those provided by the pinless one. A strong beneficial effect is obtained by increasing the shoulder diameter from 8 to 19 mm using the pinless configuration, whilst the FSW with the pin tool is critically affected by the welding conditions. The experimental work was joined to a numerical investigation based on finite element method (FEM) in order to study the material flow occurring during the welding process as well as the distribution of temperature, with the aim to identify a input window of the process parameters within which sound joints can be obtained.