Post-weld residual stresses and heat treatments of Gas Tungsten Arc Welded aluminum alloy AA6061-T651

Abstract

Heat-treatable AA-6061-T651 Aluminum alloys (Al-Mg-Si) have found considerable importance in structural and aerospace applications for their high strength to weight ratio and improved corrosion resistance properties. Intrinsic weld defects, post-weld residual stresses, and microstructural changes are the key factors for performance reductions and failures of welded structures. Gas-Tungsten-Arc-Welding (TIG/GTAW) was carried out on AA-6061-T651 plates with Argon/Helium (50/50) as the shielding gases. Non-destructive Phased-Array-Ultrasonic-Testing (PAUT) was applied for the detection and characterization of weld defects and mechanical performances. Ultrasonic technique was used for the evaluation of post-weld residual stresses in welded components. The approach is based on the acoustoelastic effect, in which ultrasonic wave propagation speed corresponds to the magnitude of stresses present within the materials. To verify the PAUT's residual stress results, a semi-destructive hole-drilling technique was used; and observed analogous results. The effects of post-weld-heat-treatment (PWHT) on the residual stresses, grain size, micro-hardness, and tensile properties are also studied. The grain size and micro-hardness values are studied through Heyn's method and Vickers hardness test, respectively. Lower residual stresses are observed in post-weld heat-treated specimens, which are also confirmed from microstructural and micro-hardness studies. The PWHT enhanced tensile properties for the redistribution of microstructures and residual stresses.

Citation

Dewan, M., Liang, J., Wahab, M. and Okeil, A. (2013), "Post-weld residual stresses and heat treatments of Gas Tungsten Arc Welded aluminum alloy AA6061-T651", World Journal of Engineering, Vol. 10 No. 1, pp. 11-22. https://doi.org/10.1260/1708-5284.10.1.11