Strategic enhancement of joint strength in dissimilar Al/Mg alloys: a workable approach for aerospace application

Abstract The increasing importance of dissimilar lightweight metal joints is crucial for advancing aerospace and automotive technologies, where aluminum (Al) and magnesium (Mg) alloys offer an ideal balance of strength and weight. However, the challenges associated with joining these dissimilar meta...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: S. Suresh, Elango Natarajan, Kalaimani Markandan, S. Sudhagar, Gnanasambandam Anbuchezhiyan, R. Elayaraja
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-02-01
Series:Discover Materials
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s43939-025-00194-x
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1823861514291904512
author S. Suresh
Elango Natarajan
Kalaimani Markandan
S. Sudhagar
Gnanasambandam Anbuchezhiyan
R. Elayaraja
author_facet S. Suresh
Elango Natarajan
Kalaimani Markandan
S. Sudhagar
Gnanasambandam Anbuchezhiyan
R. Elayaraja
author_sort S. Suresh
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The increasing importance of dissimilar lightweight metal joints is crucial for advancing aerospace and automotive technologies, where aluminum (Al) and magnesium (Mg) alloys offer an ideal balance of strength and weight. However, the challenges associated with joining these dissimilar metals necessitate innovative solutions. This study explores the role of silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticles in enhancing the friction stir spot welding (FSSW) of dissimilar alloys AA6061 and AZ31B. The methodology involved varying the rotational speed of the welding tool (1000, 1200, 1400, and 1600 rpm) while keeping other parameters such as plunge depth, plunge rate, and dwell time constant. SiC nanoparticles were introduced through a pre-drilled 2 mm hole at the tool’s plunging point to refine the microstructure and mitigate the formation of brittle Al–Mg intermetallic compounds (IMCs). The addition of SiC nanoparticles modifies the weld microstructure, reducing the formation of brittle Al–Mg IMCs and promoting the development of finer, well-distributed Mg–SiC IMCs, resulting in a more favorable and homogeneous multilayered structure. The incorporation of SiC significantly enhances the strength of the joints, achieving a maximum of 5.68 kN, 22.7% increase compared to SiC-free Al/Mg joints. This improvement underscores potentiality of SiC as a reinforcing element in strengthening dissimilar metal joints and demonstrates the effectiveness of it in dissimilar Al/Mg joints, making them suitable for aerospace and automotive applications.
format Article
id doaj-art-e79795bb217f458f84a7af6c583c9e3d
institution Kabale University
issn 2730-7727
language English
publishDate 2025-02-01
publisher Springer
record_format Article
series Discover Materials
spelling doaj-art-e79795bb217f458f84a7af6c583c9e3d2025-02-09T12:59:30ZengSpringerDiscover Materials2730-77272025-02-015111310.1007/s43939-025-00194-xStrategic enhancement of joint strength in dissimilar Al/Mg alloys: a workable approach for aerospace applicationS. Suresh0Elango Natarajan1Kalaimani Markandan2S. Sudhagar3Gnanasambandam Anbuchezhiyan4R. Elayaraja5Department of Mechanical Engineering, Erode Sengunthar Engineering CollegeFaculty of Engineering, Technology and Built Environment, UCSI UniversityFaculty of Engineering, Technology and Built Environment, UCSI UniversityDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Kalaignarkarunanidhi Institute of TechnologyDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha UniversitySchool of Mechanical Engineering, Vellore Institute of TechnologyAbstract The increasing importance of dissimilar lightweight metal joints is crucial for advancing aerospace and automotive technologies, where aluminum (Al) and magnesium (Mg) alloys offer an ideal balance of strength and weight. However, the challenges associated with joining these dissimilar metals necessitate innovative solutions. This study explores the role of silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticles in enhancing the friction stir spot welding (FSSW) of dissimilar alloys AA6061 and AZ31B. The methodology involved varying the rotational speed of the welding tool (1000, 1200, 1400, and 1600 rpm) while keeping other parameters such as plunge depth, plunge rate, and dwell time constant. SiC nanoparticles were introduced through a pre-drilled 2 mm hole at the tool’s plunging point to refine the microstructure and mitigate the formation of brittle Al–Mg intermetallic compounds (IMCs). The addition of SiC nanoparticles modifies the weld microstructure, reducing the formation of brittle Al–Mg IMCs and promoting the development of finer, well-distributed Mg–SiC IMCs, resulting in a more favorable and homogeneous multilayered structure. The incorporation of SiC significantly enhances the strength of the joints, achieving a maximum of 5.68 kN, 22.7% increase compared to SiC-free Al/Mg joints. This improvement underscores potentiality of SiC as a reinforcing element in strengthening dissimilar metal joints and demonstrates the effectiveness of it in dissimilar Al/Mg joints, making them suitable for aerospace and automotive applications.https://doi.org/10.1007/s43939-025-00194-xAluminum (Al)Magnesium (Mg)AlloysSiCIntermetallic compoundsSustainable manufacturing
spellingShingle S. Suresh
Elango Natarajan
Kalaimani Markandan
S. Sudhagar
Gnanasambandam Anbuchezhiyan
R. Elayaraja
Strategic enhancement of joint strength in dissimilar Al/Mg alloys: a workable approach for aerospace application
Discover Materials
Aluminum (Al)
Magnesium (Mg)
Alloys
SiC
Intermetallic compounds
Sustainable manufacturing
title Strategic enhancement of joint strength in dissimilar Al/Mg alloys: a workable approach for aerospace application
title_full Strategic enhancement of joint strength in dissimilar Al/Mg alloys: a workable approach for aerospace application
title_fullStr Strategic enhancement of joint strength in dissimilar Al/Mg alloys: a workable approach for aerospace application
title_full_unstemmed Strategic enhancement of joint strength in dissimilar Al/Mg alloys: a workable approach for aerospace application
title_short Strategic enhancement of joint strength in dissimilar Al/Mg alloys: a workable approach for aerospace application
title_sort strategic enhancement of joint strength in dissimilar al mg alloys a workable approach for aerospace application
topic Aluminum (Al)
Magnesium (Mg)
Alloys
SiC
Intermetallic compounds
Sustainable manufacturing
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s43939-025-00194-x
work_keys_str_mv AT ssuresh strategicenhancementofjointstrengthindissimilaralmgalloysaworkableapproachforaerospaceapplication
AT elangonatarajan strategicenhancementofjointstrengthindissimilaralmgalloysaworkableapproachforaerospaceapplication
AT kalaimanimarkandan strategicenhancementofjointstrengthindissimilaralmgalloysaworkableapproachforaerospaceapplication
AT ssudhagar strategicenhancementofjointstrengthindissimilaralmgalloysaworkableapproachforaerospaceapplication
AT gnanasambandamanbuchezhiyan strategicenhancementofjointstrengthindissimilaralmgalloysaworkableapproachforaerospaceapplication
AT relayaraja strategicenhancementofjointstrengthindissimilaralmgalloysaworkableapproachforaerospaceapplication