Effects of Welding Parameters on the Mechanical Properties of Inert Gas Welded 6063 Aluminum Alloys

Taner Ertan; Rukiye Ertan; Agah Uguz

doi:10.3139/120.110292

Article

Effects of Welding Parameters on the Mechanical Properties of Inert Gas Welded 6063 Aluminum Alloys

Taner Ertan , Rukiye Ertan and Agah Uguz

Published/Copyright: May 26, 2013

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From the journal Materials Testing Volume 54 Issue 1

Abstract

The influence of welding parameters, namely welding current and gas flow rate, on the mechanical properties of Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) and Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) welded 6063 Aluminum alloy (AA 6063) has been investigated. In order to study the effect of the welding current and gas flow rate, microstructural examination, hardness measurements and room temperature tensile tests have been carried out. The experimental results show that the mechanical properties of GTAW welded joints have better mechanical properties than those of SMAW welded joints. Increasing the welding current appeared to have a beneficial effect on the mechanical properties. However, either increasing or decreasing the gas flow rate resulted in a decrease of hardness and tensile strength. It was also found that, the highest strength was obtained in GTAW welded samples at 220 A and 15 l/min gas flow rate.

Kurzfassung

Der Einfluss der Schweißparameter, hier der Stromstärke und des Schutzgasdurchflusses, auf die mechanischen Eigenschaften einer Wolfram Inert Gas (WIG) und Metall Inert Gas (MOG) geschweißten Aluminiumlegierung AA 6063 wurde in der diesem Beitrag zugrunde liegenden Studie untersucht. Um die Wirkung der Stromstärke und des Schutzgasdurchflusses zu ermitteln, wurden mikrostrukturelle Untersuchungen, Härtemessungen und Zugversuche bei Raumtemperatur durchgeführt. Die experimentellen Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die mechanischen Eigenschaften der WIG-Schweißverbindungen besser sind als die der MIG-geschweißten Nähte. Sowohl eine Erhöhung, als auch ein Erniedrigung der Gasdurchflussrate ergaben eine Verringerung der Härte und der Zugefestigkeit. Es wurde auch herausgefunden, dass sich die höchste Festigkeit in den mit 220 A und 15 l/min Schutzgasdurchfluß geschweißten Proben einstellt.

Taner Ertan, born in 1979, finished his Master degree at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Uludağ University, Turkey. He is working for the MAKO Corporation, Turkey, as a Lean Production Expert. He is interested in welding methods, materials science, experimental design and lean production systems.

Rukiye Ertan, born in 1979, finished her PhD degree at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Uludağ University, Turkey. She is interested in welding methods, materials sciences, experimental design, and manufacturing techniques.

Agah Uğuz, born in 1962, is a Professor at the Mechanical Engineering Department at Uludağ University, Turkey. He received his PhD degree at Oxford University, Department of Materials, UK in 1990. He is the General Manager of Ulutek Science Park in Bursa, Turkey. He is currently working on foam metals, and medical applications of nanomaterials.

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Published Online: 2013-05-26

Published in Print: 2012-01-01

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https://doi.org/10.3139/120.110292