Effect of post weld aging treatment on tensile properties of electron beam welded AA2219 aluminum alloy

Aluminum alloy 2219 (Al-6.5%Cu) is a favourite age hardenable alloy for aerospace applications because of its excellent welding characteristics. Though AA2219 has got an edge over its 6000 and 7000 series counterparts in terms of weldability, it also suffers from poor joint strength when welded. In this investigation an attempt has been made to improve the welded joint strength through post weld aging treatment. This paper presents the effect of post-weld aging treatment on tensile properties of electron beam welded AA2219 aluminum alloy. Square butt joints were fabricated using an electron beam welding (EBW) machine of 100 kV capacity. The joints were given post-weld artificial aging treatment. Tensile tests were carried out using 100 kN, electro-mechanical controlled universal testing machine. It is found that the post-weld aging treatment is beneficial for improving weld metal hardness and tensile properties. This is mainly due to the uniform distribution of CuAl₂ precipitates in the weld metal region in post-weld aged joints compared to as welded joints as evident from weld metal microstructure.     

热处理对AZ31B镁合金搅拌摩擦焊焊接接头显微组织和显微硬度的影响

对AZ31B镁合金进行搅拌摩擦焊接及焊后热处理,研究了热处理前后焊接接头显微组织及显微硬度的变化规律。结果表明:随着退火温度的升高,AZ31B镁合金搅拌摩擦焊接接头前进侧和后退侧的分界线逐渐消失;在热处理过程中,由于焊核区所吸收的能量主要用于晶粒的长大,而热影响区和热机影响区结合区域在再结晶时消耗了较多的能量,导致了焊核区晶粒的长大速率大于热影响区和热机影响区结合区域的;当退火温度低于200℃时,热机影响区的显微硬度高于焊核区,并且前进侧热机影响区的显微硬度略高于后退侧的;当退火温度高于250℃后,热机影响区的显微硬度显著下降;随着退火温度的升高,热影响区的显微硬度略有下降。     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of laser-MIG hybrid welding of 1420 Al-Li alloy

This paper investigates the microstructure and mechanical properties of 1420 aluminum–lithium (Al-Li) alloy joints before and after heat treatment by CO₂ laser-metal inter gas (MIG) hybrid welding. The 5-mm-thick 1420 Al-Li alloy plates were welded by CO₂ laser-MIG hybrid welding. Full penetration joints without any defects were produced. Optic and scanning electron microscopy were used to study the microstructure and fractograph characteristics. The results show that the microstructures of the heat-affected zone (HAZ) and fusion zone exist as a predominantly discontinuous equiaxed dendritic structure and as a fine cellular dendritic structure, respectively. After heat treatment, the microstructures change from dendritic structure to a spheroidal crystal; the grain size of fusion zone is obviously larger than that of the base metal and the HAZ. Furthermore, the hardness recovers substantially to a level similar to that of the parent material. The tensile strengths of the joints in the as-welded condition and after heat treatment are 223 and 267 MPa, reaching up to 57 and 68 % of the parent materials’ strength, respectively. The fractographs show that the joint as-welded condition exhibits the characteristics of dominated dimples and a small amount tear ridges, which are associated with the mixed ductile and brittle facture mechanisms. The fracture mode transforms from a transgranular to an intergranular after heat treatment; cleavage cracking coupled with an intergranular microvoid coalescence fracture mechanism occurs.     

铁素体不锈钢CMT焊接接头HAZ组织性能研究

针对铁素体不锈钢焊接HAZ晶粒易长大的问题,提出采用小热输入的CMT焊接工艺。通过分析接头HAZ的显微组织、显微硬度和冲击性能,探讨了4003铁素体不锈钢焊接接头HAZ组织和性能,并与常规MIG焊焊接接头试样的组织、性能进行对比。试验结果表明:采用CMT焊接工艺获得的接头HAZ粗晶区宽度为460μm,明显窄于MIG焊接接头的粗晶区宽度545μm;CMT接头强度与MIG焊接接头显微硬度值相近,但CMT接头HAZ冲击韧性较MIG焊接接头试样提高了16.28%。     

Predictions of the optimized friction stir welding process parameters for joining AA7075-T6 aluminum alloy using preheating system

The scope of this investigation is to evaluate the effect of welding parameters on the mechanical properties and microstructural features of 3-mm-thick AA7075-T6 aluminum alloy subjected to gas heating system as a preheating source during friction stir welding. Toward this end, a gas heating system was designed to heat up the weld seam just ahead of rotating tool to soften the material before being stirred. Three welding parameters, five levels, and a central composite design (CCD) have been used to minimize the number of experimental conditions. The joining parameters such as tool rotational speed, welding speed, and shoulder diameter have a significant influence on determining the mechanical properties of the welded joints. It was found that using preheating system mostly can result in higher total heat input into the weld joint and effectively reduces the formation of defects when unsuitable process parameters were used. Also, an attempt has been made to establish the mathematical model to predict the tensile strength and microhardness of the joints. The optimal welding conditions to maximize the final responses were investigated and reported. The results show that the joint fabricated at a rotational speed of 1,050 rpm, welding speed of 100 mm/min, and shoulder diameter of 14 mm exhibited higher mechanical properties compared to other joints.     

Effects of heat input on microstructure and mechanical property of Al/Ti joints by rectangular spot laser welding-brazing method

A rectangular spot laser welding–brazing method was developed to join butted Ti/Al dissimilar alloys. In order to evaluate effects of heat input on mechanical property of the joints, microstructure of the joints were characterized. TiAl₃ intermetallic compounds (IMCs) were found at the joint interface in the case of low-heat input and TiAl₃, TiAl, Ti₅Si₃, and Ti₃Al IMCs were observed at high-heat input. Results of tensile test showed that the joints fracture in the fusion zone under the condition of low-heat input and in the interfacial reaction layer or the fusion zone with a mass of porosities at high-heat input. In addition, tensile strength of specimens broken at the fusion zone is higher obviously than that at the interface or the fusion zone with a mass of porosities, and tensile strength of the joints is up to 290 MPa.     

Welding of thin sheet of Al alloy (6082) by using Vario wire DC P-GMAW

This paper describes an investigation on the micro-structure, weld bead geometry, dilution rate and mechanical properties of the butt and overlap weld joints of 1-mm-thick 6082 aluminium alloy sheet. Weld joints were produced with the help of a variant of gas metal arc welding (GMAW) process, i.e. direct current-pulsed GMAW (DC P-GMAW), using a Vario wire. The capability of the new process has been assessed in terms of dilution, weld bead geometry, mechanical properties and porosity. The welding results with this new process showed good process stability in the welding of thin sheets of aluminium, while weld mismatch was found to increase with an increase in heat input. Weld bead geometry parameters such as weld size, throat and weld convexity increases with the increase in heat input. The dilution in case of lap joints (10–25%) was less than that of butt joints (60–80%). The increase in factor Φ (summarizing the effect of pulse parameters) increases the form factor and lowers the toe angle. Mechanical properties of the welds are poor as the tensile strength of 6082 alloy welds was around 150 MPa, and the percent elongation was about 1.3%, and it was primarily due to high porosity. Porosity (%) in weld joints was found in the range of 0.33–11.59%. The porosity is a major issue with DC P-GMAW welds.     

A new current hybrid inertia friction welding for nickel-based superalloy K418–alloy steel 42CrMo dissimilar metals

The nickel-based superalloy K418 and alloy steel 42CrMo dissimilar metals friction welding joints lack strength and toughness due to high hardening and poor joining quality at the friction interface. To resolve this issue, a new current inertia friction welding (CIFW) method is carried out by hybrid an external additional electronic current in inertia friction welding (IFW) process. The characteristics of welding formation, the elements’ diffusion, and the mechanical properties of K418–42CrMo dissimilar metal joints are studied by scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectrometer, and X-ray diffractometer tools. The experimental results show that hybrid additional electronic current has a significant positive influence on interface characteristics of IFW joints. The required welding time for CIFW to complete a good qualified joint is shortened due to mixture actions of both friction heat and resistance heat. The width of the element diffusion zone increases in CIFW joints, and elements in 42CrMo side diffuse through the K418/42CrMo interface into the K418 side in CIFW joints. The width of the K418/42CrMo bonding interface increases in CIFW joints. The microhardness at the K418/42CrMo bonding interface is decreased in CIFW joints. The mechanical tensile property of CIFW joints is increased obviously. The interface bonding pattern becomes jagged and interlocking perfect formations. These above changes improve the joining quality of K418–42CrMo dissimilar metal friction welding joints. The heat treatment effect and resistance heat effect originated from hybrid external electronic currents are discussed by comparing CIFW with IFW. A new model is proposed to illustrate the interface’s evolution and development mechanism in K418–42CrMo dissimilar metal CIFW.     

Structure and performance of welding joint of Q235 steel welded by SHS welding

A self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) welding-pen that can weld steel workpiece from 6 to 10 mm is developed and welds the Q235 steel. The structure and properties of the welding joint are studied. The result indicates that this type of welding is melting and the fusion zone is clear. The tensile-strength of the welding joint is 283 MPa, flexural strength is 628 MPa, impact toughness is 46.43 J·cm⁻², and the microhardness of the welding joint and fusion zone are 230 HV_0.1 and 255.6HV_0.1, respectively. The mircohardness of the fusion zone and the welding line are higher than that of the matrix.     

Effect of shoulder geometry on residual stress and fatigue properties of AA6082 fsw joints

The tool geometry is a crucial characteristic of the friction stir welding (FSW) process; its design is the key to the successful FSW application for a wide range of materials and thicknesses improving the weld strength and fatigue life. The present study investigates the influence of three shoulder geometries on the FSW joint performance, in terms of residual stresses state, microhardness profile and mechanical properties of 1.5 mm thick AA 6082-T6 FSW joints in the butt-joint configuration. The three tool geometries are characterized by three different shoulders: a shoulder with scroll, a shoulder with a shallow cavity, and a flat shoulder. Transverse and longitudinal tensile tests at room temperature were performed in order to evaluate the mechanical properties, respectively, of the joints and of the stirred zone, while the fatigue tests were performed transversally to the joint line. This paper was recommended for publication in revised form by Associate Editor Jooho Choi Marta De Giorgi received academic degree and Ph.D. degree in Materials Engineering from Lecce University in 1998 and 2002 respectively. She is currently a Post-Doc researcher at Salento University in Lecce, Italy. Dr. De Giorgi’s research interests are in the area of fatigue, residual stress, welded joints and advanced materials. She studies these subjects by experimental and numerical means. Agostino Scialpi graduated with honour in Mechanical Engineering in 2002 from Technical University of Bari, Italy. He attended a Master on Rapid Prototyping Techniques, is qualified as International Welding Inspector (Basic Level, IWI-B) and is Professional Member of The Welding Institute (grade: Graduate). He obtained a PhD in Environmental Engineering in 2006 from Technical University of Bari. Francesco Panella received full mechanical engineering degree in 1996 and Ph.D. degree in Materials Engineering from Lecce University in 1999. Actual position: Senior Researcher at University of Lecce-Italy and assistant Professor in: Machine Design. Main Research fields: Fatigue, welding, thermo-elasticity and Image correlation techniques for stress analysis, advanced Materials characterisation Luigi De Filippis graduated in Mechanics Engineering at Polytechnic of Bari, Italy in 1998, he started his career with the Ph.D. Degree (2001) in Advanced Production Systems at Polytechnic of Bari. His scientific activities concerne: numerical simulation and experimental investigation of laser welding, forming and heat treatment; rapid prototyping and reverse engineering.     

Effect of pulse frequency on microstructure and properties of Ti-6Al-4V by ultrahigh-frequency pulse gas tungsten arc welding

An experimental program of welding a titanium alloy, Ti-6Al-4V, was carried out using ultrahigh-frequency pulse gas tungsten arc welding (UHF-GTAW). The characteristics of the welds were investigated, such as the defection, microstructure, and mechanical properties. The experimental results show that the high pulse frequency reduces the heat input from the UHF-GTAW process, while gaining one-side welding with backing as a precondition. Basketweave and long acicular α′ martensite only existed in some areas of the FZ (fusion zone) with both low uniformity and distribution density (8.4 %) as a result of conventional GTAW processes. With a pulsed current, basketweave and short acicular α′ martensite were distributed in the FZ evenly. Short acicular α′ martensite could be detected within the parallel long acicular α′ martensite in the CGR when f?>?30 kHz. Plastic weld joints were characterized by both the elongation, A, and the percentage of the area reduction, Z, and were optimized with a high pulse frequency. Ideal mechanical properties of the joints were achieved with an A of 68 % and a Z of 150 % with f?=?30 kHz. The integrated effects of the pulse frequency and the heat input are the key factors for determining the microstructure morphology and the mechanical properties.     

2A14厚板铝合金SSFSW角焊缝接头组织及性能

采用自主研制搅拌针长度为8.5mm的静止轴肩搅拌工具和2A14-T4厚板铝合金进行150°角焊缝接头静止轴肩搅拌摩擦焊工艺试验,探讨焊接工艺参数对接头组织和力学性能的影响规律。结果表明:在500~700r/min主轴转速与40~100mm/min焊接速度范围内均可获得表面光滑无内部缺陷的角焊缝接头,其外观尺寸可精确控制基本无残余焊接角变形。焊缝区主要由焊核(Stir zone,SZ)组成,SZ形状类似搅拌针圆锥台状或椭圆状、其宽度沿厚度方向分布比较均匀;热力影响区(Thermal mechanical affected zone,TMAZ)及热影响区(Heat affected zone,HAZ)宽度明显较小。焊缝区硬度分布具有明显不均匀特征,最薄弱区位于TMAZ与HAZ的交界处。主轴转速变化对焊缝区平均硬度影响较小,但随着焊接速度增加其平均硬度明显增大。角焊缝前进侧等效拉伸强度大于后退侧,等效拉伸强度随转速增加而减小,焊速的增大而增大。在500r/min-100mm/min焊接工艺下所得到的接头等效拉伸强度最高,可达到母材的79.24%。在拉-剪复合承载模式下,角焊缝拉伸试样宏观塑性变形很小呈现脆性断裂特征。     

A new approach to study the influence of the weld bead morphology on the fatigue behaviour of Ti–6Al–4V laser beam-welded butt joints

Ti–6Al–4V is an alloy increasingly used in aeronautics due to its high mechanical properties coupled with lightness. An effective technology used to manufacture titanium components with a reduced buy-to-fly ratio is laser beam welding. Previous studies showed that the key factor that rules the mechanical properties and the fatigue life of the joint is its morphology. The aims of this paper were to investigate the influence of the geometrical features of the joints (height of the top and root reinforcement, depth and radius of the underfill, and the valley–valley underfill distance) on their mechanical properties and also to conduct a finite element (FE) analysis on the real geometry of the welded joints. Ti–6Al–4V rolled sheets 3.2 mm thick were welded in butt joint configuration using a laser source and their performance was studied in terms of weld morphology, microstructure, Vickers microhardness and fatigue life. A full factorial plan, designed varying the welding speed and laser power, was carried out. The real geometry and then the joint morphology were studied through an innovative approach: for each specimen, both the total weld face and the total root surface were acquired using a confocal microscope. Finally, through these acquisitions, the clouds of points of the scanned surfaces were used in order to carry out a FE analysis capable of providing a stress concentration factor, K _t , value for each detected joint. The main results are the realization of a reliable FE model by an experimental agreement and the relationship found amongst the fatigue performances and some noticeable metallurgical and geometrical features, such as the underfill depth and the aspect ratio defined as the ratio between the maximum height of the joint and the valley–valley underfill distance.     

Evaluation of the metallurgical and mechanical properties of friction-welded joints of dissimilar metal combinations AISI2205/Cu

In this study, the joining performances of AISI2205/Cu friction-welded joints were studied using different friction pressures (35, 50, and 65 MPa) and friction times (6, 9, and 12 s). The microstructural properties of welded samples were examined by scanning electron microscopy. In order to determine the phases that occurred during welding, welded samples were examined with energy dispersive spectrometry and X-ray diffraction analysis. The microhardness across the interface of samples was measured, and also the strength of the joints was determined with tensile tests. The experimental results indicate that the tensile strength of friction-welded AISI2205/Cu components were significantly affected by joining friction pressure and friction time selected.     

Influence of aging treatment on microstructure, wear and corrosion behavior of a nickel base hardfaced coating

In this work nickel based hardfacing alloy (Colmonoy 5) was deposited on 316 L (N) stainless steel substrate to study the effects of aging treatment on coating microstructure, wear and corrosion properties. Coatings, deposited through plasma transferred arc (PTA) welding process, were aged at 923 K for 5000 h. Microstructural characterization studies carried out by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed the coarsening of dendrites and precipitation of Cr₂₃C₆ particles in the aged coating. The wear behavior of the as deposited and aged coatings was compared in room temperature (RT) and high temperature (823 K) under dry sliding wear condition (pin-on-disc configuration). At RT, aged coating experienced more wear loss when compared to as-deposited. At high temperature, the wear loss was almost same with similar operating wear mechanisms (tribo-oxidation) for both as-deposited and aged coating. From pitting corrosion studies, it was found that aged coatings are more prone to pitting when compared to the as-deposited coatings.     

Investigation of mechanical properties of friction-welded AISI 304 with AISI 1021 dissimilar steels

Austenitic stainless steel and low alloy steels are extensively used in various automotive, aerospace, nuclear, chemical, and other general purpose applications. Joining of dissimilar metals is one of the challenging tasks and most essential need of the present-day industry. It has been observed that a wide range of dissimilar materials can be easily integrated by friction welding. The objectives of the present investigation were obtaining weldments between austenitic stainless steel (AISI 304) with low alloy steel (AISI 1021) and optimizing the friction welding parameters in order to establish the weld quality. In the present study, an experimental setup was designed in order to achieve friction welding of plastically deformed austenitic stainless steel and low alloy steel. AISI 304 and AISI 1021 steels were welded by friction welding using five different axial pressures at 1,430 rpm. The joining performances of friction-welded dissimilar joints were studied, and influences of these process parameters on the mechanical properties of the friction-welded joints were estimated. The joint strength was determined with tensile testing, and the fracture behavior was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and was supported and backed by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. Furthermore, the proposed joints were tested for impact strength, and the microhardness across the joint was also evaluated.     

Mechanical properties of friction stir welding and metal inert gas welding of Al-Zn aluminum alloy joints

In this work, an Al-Zn aluminum alloy was welded using friction stir welding (FSW) and metal inert gas (MIG) welding methods. The comparison between microstructure and mechanical properties of the two different joints was mainly discussed. Results showed that defect-free joints can be obtained using both the two welding methods. Due to much less heat input, grains of the stir zone (SZ) of the FSW joint are finer than those of the MIG joint, resulting into higher hardness. Tensile strength of the MIG and FSW joints respectively reaches 68.6 and 73.2% of the BM. The FSW joints own much better fatigue properties than the MIG joints and reach its infinite life at using 90 MPa. The FSW joint owns two cracks during the fatigue test.     

Half-transient liquid phase diffusion welding: An approach for diffusion welding of SiCp/A356 with Cu interlayer

Aluminum matrix composite SiC_p/A356 was welded by half-transient liquid Phase diffusion welding (HTLPDW) with a Cu interlayer. The effects of welding parameters and interlayer thickness on the properties of the welded joint were investigated, and the optimal welding parameters were subsequently put forward. The relationship between the tensile strength of the joint and the microstructure was studied by analyzing the microstructure of joint using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and an electron probe micro-analysis (EPMA). Results confirmed the success of welding aluminum matrix composite SiC_p/A356 utilizing HTLPDW method with a Cu interlayer. Shorter welding time was a prominent characteristic of HTLPDW as compared with conventional transient liquid phase (TLP) diffusion welding. Furthermore, its welded joints had a tensile strength almost 72% of its parent matrix composites, evidently signifying the suitable application of half-transient liquid phase diffusion welding in welding composite engineering structures.     

Effect of weld parameters on mechanical properties and tensile behavior of tungsten inert gas welded AW6082-T6 aluminium alloy

The effect of different welding parameters on the mechanical properties and tensile behavior of tungsten inert gas (TIG) welded joints was analyzed. Four different groove angles were chosen, 60°, 70°, 80° and 90°, to ascertain the tendency of microstructure formation and quality of the weld. Mechanical properties were assessed in the terms of Vickers HV1 hardness. Microanalysis of test samples produced using different current 165 A, 180 A, 200 A with same groove angle of 90° was done in fusion, partially melted, and heat affected zone; all the images showed good penetration and clear transition from one to following zone. The transverse tensile tests were accomplished on the welded joints to evaluate influence of welding parameters and groove geometry to the joint tensile strength and its behavior during exploitation. It was verified that the tensile strength of the welds is closely related to the welding parameters. The chosen 180 A welding current ensured highest tensile strength of test samples; the same as proper selection of groove angle (90°) provides good fusion and high quality of major welds. The results revealed that the weld penetration depends on welding current.

     

Parameter design and analysis in continuous drive friction welding of Al6061/SiCp composites

Continuous drive friction welding (FW) had found profound industrial applications as an economical solid state joining process. The welding parameters such as frictional pressure, upset pressure, burn off length and rotational speed were found to influence the quality of joints. In the present study, Al6061/SiC_p rods were joined by friction welding. The welding trials were designed by using Taguchi’s L₉ orthogonal array. Tensile strength and micro hardness of the joints were observed as the quality characteristics after each trial. The urge for parameter design had prompted the disclosure of a new integrated methodology based on technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) and grey relational analysis (GRA). The effectiveness of the proposed approach of T-GRA was validated by conducting a confirmation test and the field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) images of the fractured surface were also examined.