Design factors influencing weldability of the Mg-4Y-3RE cast magnesium alloy

Due to low density and good strength properties, magnesium alloys are increasingly used as a structural material They are used, amongst others, for large-size castings in sand moulds, pressure and precision castings. Welding and pad welding is used to repair casting defects, such as misruns, micro-shrinkage, cracks, etc. The most frequent reason for disqualifying of welded joints made to repair the castings is hot cracking which occurs as a result of tensile stresses formed in the material during welding. The Mg-4Y-3RE (WE43) alloy with addition of yttrium and rare earth and zirconium elements used for testing is creep resistant to 300 deg. C. The alloy is used in the automotive industry, for example for engine blocks and in aerospace industry for gearbox housings. This paper describes the welding and remelting tests of the Mg-4Y-3RE (WE43) castings in conditions of constant and variable stiffness. It has been concluded that hot cracks are formed as a result of eutectic melting in the areas of contact of α - Mg solid solution crystals.