Research on the Friction Stir Welding Process of GW94K Magnesium Alloy Using Abaqus

Mg-Gd-Y-Zr (GW94K) alloys that incorporate rare earth elements have emerged as a promising avenue for the development of high-strength magnesium alloys. This advancement is attributed to their capacity to disrupt the dense hexagonal grain structure characteristic of conventional magnesium alloys, thereby significantly enhancing plasticity, heat resistance, and corrosion resistance. Since its inception, friction stir welding (FSW) technology has rapidly advanced and found successful applications across various fields, with notable progress achieved in related research endeavors. This study utilized Abaqus software to develop a finite element model aimed at predicting the temperature field during stir friction welding of GW94K magnesium alloy, complemented by subsequent experimental measurements. Additionally, the research examined how variations in rotational speeds and shoulder dimensions influence the distribution of the temperature field. The results indicate that the model effectively replicates trends in temperature variation across the surface of the workpiece. The analysis reveals that high-temperature zones primarily concentrate beneath the shoulder during welding, with peak temperatures consistently remaining below the melting point. Importantly, this study finds that maximum welding temperatures increase with elevated rotational speeds.