Manufacturing of magnesium/aluminum bimetallic ring components by friction stir assisted simultaneous forging and solid-state joining

Abstract

A bimetallic ring component is forged by a friction stir assisted forging (FS-forging). A cylindrical bimetallic blank, magnesium AZ31 cylinder (Mg core) tightly fitted inside an aluminum 6061-T6 tube (Al skin), is used. In the FS-forging, the frictional heat and stirring of rotating tool forge the blank into a desired shape, while simultaneously generate a solid-state joint between the Mg core and the Al skin, without additional external heating, as confirmed by the microstructural analysis and mechanical tests. The microstructural analysis also shows that the characteristics of the solid-state joint can be different depending on the process parameters.