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Plasma Arc Welding, Gas Welding and Laser Welding of Magnesium Alloy

Plasma Arc Welding, Gas Welding and Laser Welding of Magnesium Alloy

1. Plasma arc welding of magnesium metal alloy


Plasma arc is a kind of restricted non-free arc, also known as compression arc. Its temperature and energy density are significantly higher than that of ordinary arc, and its penetrating power is stronger. It is suitable for thick plates and occasions requiring large arc length.


When plasma arc welding is used to weld magnesium metal alloys, a full penetration of thick plate butt joints can be achieved without a backing plate on the back, and the weld surface is smooth, showing good fatigue mechanical properties.


Studies have shown that the range of adjustable welding parameters for variable polarity plasma arc welding of magnesium metal alloys is relatively narrow, and the influence of parameter changes is greater. Changing the time-width ratio of positive and negative polarity will change the cathodic cleaning effect of the workpiece, which will have a certain impact on the tensile strength of the joint. By selecting the welding parameters reasonably, the ideal welding effect can be obtained, and the joint strength can reach more than 90% of the base metal.


2. Gas welding of magnesium metal alloy

The heat source of gas welding is flame (formed by mixed combustion of oxygen and gas), the heat is not concentrated, the heated area of the weldment is wide, and it is easy to cause large shrinkage stress in the joint area, forming cracks and other defects. At the same time, the flux remaining in the weld is prone to slag inclusion and corrosion, so gas welding is mainly used for welding repairs on sites without suitable welding equipment or less important thin plate components and castings.


QJ401 flux can be used for gas welding of magnesium metal and magnesium alloy for sale. Tests show that this flux has good manufacturability, but it is highly corrosive to magnesium and should be cleaned thoroughly after welding. When welding magnesium metal alloy parts with a thickness less than 3 mm, the gas welding torch and welding wire should move longitudinally, and lateral swinging is not suitable.


When the thickness of the weldment is large, the gas welding torch and welding wire are allowed to swing slightly laterally. For weldments with a thickness greater than 5 mm, they should be preheated to 300°C~400°C overall or locally before welding; when the thickness is greater than 12 mm, multi-layer welding can be used. Generally, thin brass should be used before welding the next layer. Wire brush to remove welding slag. During the welding process, the welding wire can be used to continuously stir the molten pool to destroy the oxide film on the surface of the molten pool and lead the welding slag out of the molten pool.


3. Laser welding of magnesium metal alloy

Laser welding is a high-efficiency precision processing method that uses high-energy-density laser beams as heat sources for welding. Compared with other fusion welding methods, laser welding has the advantages of high energy density, less heat input, small residual stress and deformation in the joint area, narrow melting zone and heat-affected zone, large penetration depth, fine weld structure, and good joint performance.


In addition, laser welding does not require vacuum conditions, and the type and pressure range of the shielding gas can be easily selected. The laser beam can be guided to inaccessible parts for welding by means of deflection prisms or optical fibers. The operation is flexible, and it can focus on welding through transparent materials, etc. All electron beam welding is difficult to have. The laser beam can be flexibly controlled, and it is easy to realize three-dimensional automatic welding of workpieces.


The research shows that the strength of the laser welded seam of the wrought magnesium metal alloy can be similar to that of the base metal, and the occurrence of porosity and undercut can be avoided by selecting appropriate process parameters.

Magnesium Metal Alloy Types

Here are many different types of magnesium metal alloys, each with its own unique properties and uses. Some common magnesium alloys include:

  1. AZ31: This is one of the most widely used magnesium alloys, composed of 3% aluminum and 1% zinc. It has good formability and is often used for sheet and plate applications.

  2. Mg az91d: This alloy contains 9% aluminum and 1% zinc, and is known for its high strength and excellent corrosion resistance.

  3. AZ61: This alloy contains 6% aluminum and 1% zinc, and is known for its good strength-to-weight ratio and good castability.

  4. ZK60: This alloy contains 6% zinc and 0.5% zirconium, and is known for its high strength and good ductility.

  5. Am60b: AM60B is a magnesium alloy that contains 6% aluminum and 0.27% manganese. It is a commonly used magnesium alloy, known for its good combination of strength, ductility, and corrosion resistance. AM60B is often used in automotive and aerospace applications, as well as for electronic components and consumer goods. It can be cast or formed into various shapes and has a high vibration damping capacity.

  6. WE43: This alloy contains 4% yttrium and 3% neodymium, and is known for its high strength and good creep resistance at high temperatures.

  7. AM50A Magnesium Alloy: AM50A is a magnesium alloy that contains 5% aluminum and 0.25% manganese. It is similar to the AM60B alloy, but with slightly lower aluminum content. AM50A has good mechanical properties, such as strength and ductility, and is also corrosion-resistant. It is commonly used in automotive and aerospace industries, as well as in consumer goods such as electronic devices and sporting equipment. AM50A can be easily cast or formed into various shapes and has good vibration damping capacity.

  8. Elektron 21: This alloy contains 2% zinc, 1% silver, and 0.5% zirconium, and is known for its good strength-to-weight ratio and good corrosion resistance.

These are just a few examples of the many magnesium alloys available, each with its own unique properties and applications.

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