Investigation the effects of SiC reinforcement incorporation on mechanical properties of friction stir welded AZ31 magnesium alloy

In this study, the friction stir welding process was used for simultaneously joining of AZ31 magnesium alloy and production of Mg/Sic nanocomposite in the stir zone. All combinations of three rotational speeds i.e, 600, 800, and 1000 rpm and four traveling speeds i.e, 25, 75, 125 and 175 mm/min were tested and then the mechanical properties were examined. The joint fabricated with rotational speed of 800 rpm and traveling speeds of 75 mm/min, exhibited the highest mechanical properties, So that the yield strength, tensile strength and percent elongation improved by 11%, 39% and 88%, respectively. The results show that the proper distribution of nanoparticles in the stir zone can reduce the average grain size and improve mechanical properties. The main reason for this change is related to pinning effect and increased nucleation sites associated with SiC nano-particles. Moreover, reinforcement particles resulted in breaking of primary grains in stir zone of friction stir welding.