The Effect of Annealing on the Properties of AW5754 Aluminum Alloy-AZ31B Magnesium Alloy Explosively Welded Bimetals

Explosive welding of AW5754 aluminum alloy to AZ31B magnesium alloy was performed. AW5754 was proposed as a flyer plate. A parallel setup was used during explosive welding. The annealing of AW5754/AZ31B composite plate at 250, 300 and 350 °C for 2, 3, 4 and 5 h was performed after explosive welding. Bimetals were characterized by regular wavy interface. Annealing resulted in the creation of intermetallic compounds (IMCs). The increase in the thickness of IMC interfacial layer was observed with increasing of annealing temperature and time. IMC layer of highest thickness was recorded after annealing at 350 °C for 5 h and averaged 67 µm. EDS analysis showed that the interfacial layer close to AW5754 alloy was formed by Al3Mg2 IMC, and interfacial layer adjacent to the AZ31B alloy consisted of Mg17Al12 IMC. Bright particles were spread at the AW5754-Al3Mg2 IMC interface. Rise in the microhardness at the interface of produced bimetal was associated with work hardening. Microhardness values increased to 218 HV0.025 after annealing process due to IMCs present at the interface. Decrease in microhardness in locations close to the IMC interfacial layer was found after heat treatment due to recrystallization. The bimetal tensile strength reached 120 MPa. The annealing resulted in decrease in the bimetal tensile strength.