Abstract
Friction stir welding (FSW) is a relatively new joining technique particularly for magnesium and aluminum alloys that are difficult to fusion weld. In this study, AZ31 Mg alloys were joined by FSW with shoulder diameter 11, 19 mm and rotating speed 900, 1200, 1500, 1800 rpm. The shoulder diameter and welding speed depended on the heat input during FSW process. As a result, the microstructures of stir zone were a fine grain by dynamic recrystallization. According to the larger shoulder diameter and the higher rotating speed, refined grain sizes of stir zone were grown by higher heat input, and the microhardness of stir zone was lower. The tensile strength at the shoulder diameter 19 mm, rotating speed 900 rpm was obtained maximum value. This value compared with the base metal was over 93%.