Formability of friction stir welded AZ31 magnesium alloy sheets

The formability of friction stir welded AZ31 magnesium alloy sheets was investigated by means of umaxial tensile and hemispherical punch tests performed under different process conditions The results of the tensile tests were analysed in terms of flow stress and ductility at different temperature and strain rate; the hemispherical punch tests, carried out at different temperatures, provided the limiting dome height. The formability of FSW-ed blanks was compared to the one exhibited by the base material in order to evaluate the quality of the welded joints.