Study on anisotropy of microstructure and mechanical properties of AZ31 magnesium alloy fabricated by wire arc additive manufacturing.

Based on wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) technology, AZ31 magnesium alloy in bulk was successfully fabricated, and its microstructure as well as mechanical properties in different planes were observed and analyzed. The AZ31 magnesium alloy has a similar microstructure in the building direction (Z) and travel direction (X), both of which are equiaxed grains. There are heat-affected zones (HAZs) with coarse grains below the fusion line. The second phase is primarily composed of the Mg17Al12 phase, which is evenly distributed in different directions. In addition, the residual stress varies in different directions. There is no significant difference in the hardness of the AZ31 alloy along the Z and X directions, with the average hardness being 68.4 HV and 67.9 HV, respectively. Even though the specimens’ ultimate tensile strength along the travel direction is higher in comparison to that along the building direction, their differences in elongation and yield strength are smaller, indicating that the anisotropy of the mechanical properties of the material is small. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]