Transient liquid phase bonding of magnesium alloy (Mg–3Al–1Zn) using aluminium interlayer

The microstructure and mechanical properties of transient liquid phase (TLP) bonded magnesium alloy (Mg–3Al–1Zn) joint using aluminium interlayer have been investigated. The composition profiles and microstructures of the joint depend on the bonding time at bonding temperature of 480 °C. Increasing bonding time from 1 to 60 min, the concentration of aluminium and the amount of Al12Mg17 compound in the joint decrease. For longer bonding time (120 min), the most pronounced features of the joint are composition homogenization and grain coarsening. The brittle compound (Al12Mg17) and grain coarsening of the joint are main reason for impairing the joint shear strength. The joint shear strength of 76.1 MPa which is 92.4% of base metal strength (82.4 MPa) can be achieved after bonding at 480 °C for 60 min.