Augmenting the performance of friction stir back extruded AZ91 alloy using the gradient composite design technology

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of extrusion speed during friction stir back extrusion on the microstructure, mechanical characteristics, and in vitro corrosion behavior of AZ91-3 vol % bioactive glass composite wire. To that end, the bioactive glass powder was inserted into the AZ91 matrix by drilling holes in the cross-section of the AZ91 rod. The results show that the extrusion speed strongly influenced the material's flow in the extruded wire's cross-section. By adding the bioactive glass powder to the processed wire, the ultimate tensile strength and corrosion resistance increased 5 and 23% compared to the additive-free wire. By decreasing the extrusion speed to 20 mm/min, the higher amount of discontinuous β-Mg17Al12 phase and α + β eutectic formed in the grain boundaries. By applying the friction stir back extrusion process on the AZ91 rod a random crystallographic texture formed in the extruded wires. In the composite samples extruded at a rotational speed of 1200 rpm, a traverse speed of 20 mm/min, a gradient distribution, and improvement of mechanical properties (ultimate tensile strength of 332.95 MPa, yield strength of 268.33 MPa, and elongation of 9.89%) and corrosion rate (1.879 mm/year) at simulated body fluid were achieved.