Effect of process parameters on local thickening of Mg-Zn-Zr alloy sheets in TIG welding

Abstract. This study introduces a local thickening technique for thin Mg-Zn-Zr alloy sheets using Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding deposition with pure argon shielding. The research examines how key welding parameters, including welding current, welding time, and filler diameter, affect the deposition morphology. Results show that higher heat inputs increase the deposition diameter, reduce height, and adjust contact angles. For dome-shaped deposition with consistent geometry, smooth deposition was achieved at contact angles below 70°. Excessive heat input, however, caused geometric inconsistencies and contamination at contact angles below 30°. By defining the impact of heat input parameters, process operating windows were identified for 4 mm and 5 mm filler materials. Importantly, no major distortion was observed in the 1.6 mm sheet substrate, supporting the potential of this technique for thin-sheet applications. Ultimately, this preliminary study provides valuable insights into the local thickening of magnesium sheets, with the particular aim of advancing implant design technology.