Temperature and Texture Development during High Speed Friction Stir Processing of Magnesium AZ31

Abstract The increasing demand for low weight structural materials yields a growing interest in Mg alloys processed at industrially interesting speeds. One aim of this study is to develop defect free welds in the velocity range of 1–10 m · min⁻¹. The resulting welds are subjected to temperature, microstructure and texture investigations. Energy input as well as temperature development under the tool are predicted using numerical models. Image correlation is used to evaluate distortion. The results show that while ensuring constant weld quality, the energy input, sample distortion and grain size can be decreased reaching a threshold at 5 m · min⁻¹. Thermal analysis reveal an asymmetry between AS and RS. The basal planes exhibits a shift from 0 to 45° into processing direction.