Welding of Ti-6Al-4V alloy using dynamically controlled plasma arc welding process

A novel dynamically controlled plasma arc welding process was introduced,which is able tominimize heat input into the workpiece materials while maintaining desired full penetration,and it was used to weld Ti-6Al-4V alloy sheets.The microstructures,facture surfaces and microhardness of the welded joints were characterized by using optical microscope,scanning electron microscope （SEM） and Vickers microhardness tester.Comparing with welds such as gas tungsten arc and conventional plasma arc processes,the experimental results revealed the improvements when using the present process including：1） reducing prior-beta （β） grain size and prohibiting formation of hard martensite phases in the fusion zone due to the decreased heat input;and 2） better toughness and higher hardness.

Microstructure and property research on welded joints of 7xxx aluminum alloy welding wire TIG for 7075 aluminum alloy

7 xxx welding wire was self-made by spray forming ingots drawn to series welding wires products,and then TIG butt welding test is used for 5 mm thick 7075 high-strength aluminium alloy.After welding,the stress relief+solid-solution aging heat treatment(T6)were performed to joints,and the mechanical properties and microstructure of the joints before and after heat treatment were comparative analyzed.The results show that the properties of the heat-affected zone(HAZ)of the joint before heat treatment decreas,and the joint is softened.The welded joints tensile strength is 271.8 MPa,the elongation is 5.6%,and the average hardness of the weld is 118.4 HV.The second phase particles such asη(Mg Zn2),S(Al2 Cu Mg),Al13 Fe4 are distributed in a network layer,with no apparent element segregation.After heat treatment,the structure of each area of the joint is coarsened,and a small amount of Fe-containing impurity phases are distributed.Theηand S phases are dissolved in the matrix.The hardness of each area of the joint is increased to 155 HV,and the softening zone is disappeared,this leads the joint elongation close to 16.9%.The tensile strength is increased to 511.8 MPa,reaching 94%of the base metal tensile strength.

Numerical simulation and experimental study of hybrid laser-electric arc welding between dissimilar Mg alloys

This work aims to establish a suitable numerical simulation model for hybrid laser-electric arc heat source welding of dissimilar Mg alloys between AZ31 and AZ80. Based on the energy conservation law and Fourier’s law of heat conduction, the differential equations of the three-dimensional temperature field for nonlinear transient heat conduction are built. According to the analysis of nonlinear transient heat transfer, the equations representing initial conditions and boundary conditions are obtained. The “double ellipsoidal heat source + 3D Gaussian heat source”combination was chosen to construct the laser-electric arc hybrid heat source. The weld bead morphologies and the distribution of temperature, stress, displacement and plastic strains are numerically simulated. The actual welding experiments were performed by a hybrid laser-electric arc welding machine. The interaction mechanism between laser and electric arc in the hybrid welding of Mg alloys is discussed in detail. The hybrid heat source can promote the absorption of laser energy and electric arc in the molten pool, resulting in more uniform energy distribution in the molten pool and the corresponding improvement of welding parameters. This work can provide theoretical guidance and data supports for the optimization of the hybrid laser-electric arc welding processes for Mg alloys.

Application of the wavelet packet and its energy spectrum to identify nugget splash during the aluminum alloys spot welding

Nugget splash during aluminum alloys spot welding has a detrimental effect on weld nugget integrity, strength and durability of the welded joints. This investigation is performed to identify nugget splash from voltage signals because these are easily accessible on-line. In the present work, we propose a novel method based on the wavelet packet transform and its energy spectrum for pattern recognition of splash signal. The result demonstrates that this novel method is more accuracy and a useful way of monitoring the spot welding quality.

Corrosion behavior of the friction-stir-welded joints of 2A14-T6 aluminum alloy

The corrosion behavior of friction-stir-welded 2A14-T6 aluminum alloy was investigated by immersion testing in immersion exfoliation corrosion（EXCO） solution. Electrochemical measurements（open circuit potential, potentiodynamic polarization curves, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy）, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy were employed for analyzing the corrosion mechanism. The results show that, compared to the base material, the corrosion resistance of the friction-stir welds is greatly improved, and the weld nugget has the highest corrosion resistance. The pitting susceptibility originates from the edge of Al-Cu-Fe-Mn-Si phase particles as the cathode compared to the matrix due to their high self-corrosion potential. No corrosion activity is observed around the θ phase（Al2Cu） after 2 h of immersion in EXCO solution.

DEVELOPMENT OF EFFECTIVE TECHNOLOGICAL PROCESSES OF HIGH-STRENGTH STEEL WELDING

Composition and service properties of high - strength low-alloyed steels with 590-980 MPa yield strength,which find an application in Russia, Belorus,Ukraine and other countries of the former USSR in manufacture of welded structures of a powerful mining and transport machinery, are given. Electrodes and wires for main processes of arc welding of these steels have been devel- oped on the basis of a rational use of different systems of alloying (08KhN2GM,08KhNG2M, and also economical systems of type 10G25, ect. ). Main approaches to the technological provess- es of manufacture of structures of high - strength steels are formulated.They are mainly directed to the weakening of de offect of the factors which contribute to a delayed fracture of joints (diffusive hydrogen,unfavourable rates of cooling,level of residual stresses). When there are no stress concentrators (and at a low level of residual stresses) the welded joints of these steels have a good resistance to fatigue and brittle fractures.As a rule, they are prevented with the help of the known approaches.It is shown that in addition to them and due to a proper selection of conditions of welding the life of welded joints of the high - strength steels can be 1. 2 - 1. 4 times in- creased.

Effect of Post-weld Heat Treatment on Mechanical Characteristics of AZ31 Magnesium Alloy Welded Joints

Tungsten inert gas（TIG） welding was performed on 2.7 mm thick commercial extruded AZ31 B magnesium alloy plates. We investigated the effect of post-weld heat treatment（PWHT） on the microstructure, mechanical properties and precipitated phase of the weld joints. The results showed that during the annealing treatment（200 ℃-1 h, 250 ℃-1 h, 300 ℃-1 h, 350 ℃-1 h, 400 ℃-1 h, and 450 ℃-1 h）, the average grain size in the weld seam was the minimum after annealing at 400 ℃ for 1 hour, and then abnormally grew up after annealing at 450 ℃ for 1 hour. The mechanical properties enhanced when the joints were processed from 200 ℃-1 h to 400 ℃-1 h but sharply decreased with increasing annealing temperature. In contrast to the annealing treatment, solution treatment（250 ℃-10 h, 300 ℃-10 h, 350 ℃-10 h, 400 ℃-10 h, and 450 ℃-10 h） exhibited a better ductility but a slight deterioration in tensile strength. Especially speaking, no eutectic compounds（such as Mg17 Al12） were observed in the weld seam. The supersaturated Al atoms were precipitated in a coarse spherical shape dispersed in the weld seam. The precipitated Al atoms dissolved in the matrix substances at the condition（400 ℃-1 h） or（250 ℃-10 h）. The solution treatment caused grain coarsening and precipitated Al atoms dissolved in the weld seam substantially, which resulted in a drop in micro-hardness at the weld seam compared to the area of the annealed joints.

Effect of Post Weld Heat Treatment on Microstructure and Fracture Toughness of Friction Welded Joint

The effect of post weld heat treatment on the microstructure and fracture toughness of friction welded joints of Ti-6.5Al-1Mo-1V-2Zr alloy was studied. The experimental results show that equiaxial grains were formed at the center of the weld metal while highly deformed grains were observed in the thermomechanically affected zone. The fracture toughness of the weld metal was lower than that of the thermomechanically affected zone under as-weld and post weld heat treatment conditions. With increasing temperature of post weld heat treatment, the fracture toughness of weld center and thermomechanically affected zone increased. The fractographic observation revealed that the friction welded joints fractured in a ductile mode.

Response of structural and magnetic properties of ultra-thin FeCo–V foils to high-energy beam welding processes

Microstructural evolutions and grain-boundary-character distribution during high-energy-beam welding of ultra-thin Fe Co-V foils were studied. Detailed data about the boundaries, coincidence site lattice（CSL） relationships, grain sizes, and microstructural features were acquired from electron-backscatter diffraction（EBSD） maps. Moreover, the evolution of the magnetic properties during high-energy-beam welding was studied using vibrating sample magnetometry（VSM）. The fraction of low-angle boundaries was observed to increase in the fusion zones of both electron- and laser-beam-welded foils. The results showed that the fractions of low-Σ CSL boundaries（particularly twin boundaries, Σ3） in the fusion zones of the welded foils are higher than those in the base metal. Because the strain rates produced during high-energy-beam welding are very high（because of the extremely high cooling rate）, grain deformation by a slip mechanism is limited; therefore, deformation by grain twinning is dominant. VSM analysis showed that the magnetic properties of the welded foils, i.e., their remanence, coercive force, and energy product, changed significantly. The formation of large grains with preferred orientation parallel to the easy axis of magnetization was the main reason for the diminished magnetic properties.

Analysis of Acoustic Emission Signal by Fractal Theory in Aluminum Alloy Spot Welding

The relation between acoustic emission signal and nugget during aluminum alloy spot welding was investigated in order to evaluate spot welding quality. Due to the nonlinearity of the signals, fractal theory was utilized to quantitatively describe the characteristics of the signals instead of classical Euclidean geometry which cannot describe the acoustic emission signal accurately. Through experiments and computing, the box counting dimension is found distinct from other acoustic emission signals and is a better approach to discriminating weld nugget stages. Results show that fractal dimensions increase from 1.51 to 1.78,and they are related to nugget areas added from non-fusion to over-heated nugget. And the box counting dimension can effectively evaluate the quality of the nugget in the spot welding and can be aoolied with current, displace, and other soot welding parameters.

Ni-Fe-C ALLOY EFFECT ON η PHASE FORMED DURING TIG WELDING OF WC-Co WITH 45 STEEL

Ni-Fe-C filler metal based on WC-30Co/Ni-Fe-C/45 steel is developed using TIGwelding method. The weld joints are studied by means of optical microscope, SEM, EPMA, X-rays andmicro hardness test etc. The results show that the weld joints of WC-30Co and 45 steel can beobtained by TIG welding using Ni-Fe-C alloys as filler metals. The harmful eta phase formed in thejoints is M_6C, M_(12)C type carbides. The poor carbon content of the W-Co-C system resulted fromthe carbon diffusion and the high ingredient Fe are the two vital factors inducing to eta phaseformation. It could be restricted by the addition of carbon element into Ni-Fe alloys.

Calculation of AF transformation kinetics in HSLA steel weld

It is of great importance for obtaining the perfect welding properties to control the acicular ferrite (AF) transformation behavior reasonably in steel weld. AF continuous transformation kinetics in the HSLA steel weld was calculated and modeled based on the direct growth on the inclusions inert interface. The simulation results are coincident with the experimental value well.

A computer control system for automatic TIG welding of aluminium alloy sheets

Aimed at the welding ttechnological requirements of foe missile shell,a computer control system for automatic TIG welding of aluminium alloy sheets has been developed in this paper.The hardware of the system is composed of the four sub-systems,i.e.weldingpower source,arc length controller,welding wire feeder and welding head traveller.The software of the system comprises the on-line executing program and the off-line serving program.The operating principle,specifications and control of the system are introduced.The experiments indicate that the system possesses rational hardware structure and practical software function,and has solved the problem of high frequency interference to the computer control system. Therefore,the control system can satisfy the requirements of automatic TIG welding of the missile shell.

Investigation on Cracking in the Surfacing Welding Layer of Ni_3Al Based Alloy

Investigation has been made into the causes of cracking in the Surfacing welding layer of Ni3Al based alloy by analysing both the liqu id-to-solid transformation in the molten pool and the distribution of thermal stress within the surfacing welding layer. The results show that cracking in the surfacing welding layer is directly related to the producing of eutectic phase β' (NiAl) in the interdendritic region and high thermal stress within the surfacing welding layer. When the process of electric arc surfacing welding is changed from along straight line to along' Z' pattern, cracking in the surfacing welding layer of Ni3Al based alloy is prevented due to being reduced of both the cooling rate of liquid in the molten pool and the moving speed of the heat source. Reducing the melting volume of the substrate material by lowering the output power of electric arc welding would make the content of iron atoms in the molten pool decrease. and this also can reduce the trend of the eutectic reaction in the interdendfitic region and is helpful to Suppress cracking in the surfacing welding layer.

Friction stir welding of high-strength aerospace aluminum alloy and application in rocket tank manufacturing

Friction stir welding （FSW） has been widely adopted in aerospace industry for fabricating high-strength aluminum alloy structures, such as large volume fuel tanks, due to its exceptional advantages includ- ing low distortion, less defects and high mechanical properties of the joint. This article systematically reviews the key technical issues in producing large capacity aluminum alloy fuel tanks by using FSW, including tool design. FSW process optimization, nondestructive testing （NDT） techniques and defect repairing techniques, etc. To fulfill the requirements of Chinese aerospace industry, constant-force FSW, retractable tool FSW, lock joint FSW, on-line NDT and solid-state equal-strength FSW techniques, as well as a complete set of aerospace aluminum FSW equipment, have been successfully developed. All these techniques have been engineered and validated in rocket tanks, which enormously improved the fabrication ability of Chinese aerospace industry.

Effect of Base Material on Microstructure and Texture Evolution of a Ti–6Al–4V Electron-Beam Welded Joint

The effect of base material（BM） on microstructure and crystallographic orientation evolution of a Ti–6Al–4V electron-beam welded joint was investigated. Meanwhile, the crystallographic orientation of prior b grains was studied by advanced electron backscattered diffraction data processing. The inhomogeneity of microstructure within welded joint was formed due to the different microstructures of BM. By comparing microstructure details of the welded joint, including microstructure morphology and crystallographic orientation with those of the base material, it can be found that both the microstructure morphology and crystallographic orientation of the EBW joint would be controlled by BM.

Friction-stir welding and processing of Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy:A review

In this work, the current understanding and development of fliction-stir welding and processing of Ti- 6Al-4V alloy are briefly reviewed. The critical issues of these processes are addressed, including welding tool materials and design, tool wea,, processing temperature, material flow, processing window and residual stresses. A particular emphasis is given to microstructural aspects and microstructure-properties relationship. Potential engineering applications are highlighted.

Effect of Sheet Configuration on Microstructure and Mechanical Behaviors of Dissimilar Al–Mg–Si/Al–Zn–Mg Aluminum Alloys Friction Stir Welding Joints

Friction stir welding（FSW） was used to weld dissimilar Al-Mg-Si/Al-Zn-Mg aluminum alloys in this work.Influences of sheet configuration on microstructure and mechanical properties of the joints were mainly discussed.Results showed that rather different joint cross sections were obtained when using different sheet configurations.Coarser β＇ phases can be observed at the heat affected zone（HAZ） of the Al-Mg-Si alloy side,which was the main factor affecting the tensile properties and the fatigue properties.Tensile strengths of the dissimilar Al-Mg-Si/Al-Zn-Mg joints using both configurations were higher than that of the Al-Mg-Si FSW joint.When the Al-Zn-Mg alloy was located at the advancing side（AS）,the joints owned better fatigue properties due to the bridging effect of the big secondary phase particles.

Effects of welding parameters and post-heat treatment on mechanical properties of friction stir welded AA2195-T8 Al-Li alloy

In this study, the effects of main welding parameters （rotation speed （ω） and welding speed （υ）） on the microstructure, micro-hardness distribution and tensile properties of friction stir welded （FSW） 2195-T8 Al-Li alloy were investigated. The effects of T6 post-treatments at different solution and aging conditions on the mechanical properties and microstructure characteristics of the FSW joints were also investigated. The results show that with increasing to and v, both strength and elongation of the joints increase first, and then decrease with further increase of ω and υ. All the joints under varied welding parameters show significant strength loss, and the strength reaches only 65% of the base metal, The effect of T6 post-heat treatment on the mechanical properties of the joints depends on the solution and aging conditions. Two heat treatment processes （480 ℃×0.5 h quenching＋ 180 ℃× 12 h, 520 ℃× 0.5 h quenching＋ 180 ℃×12h aging） are found to increase the joint strength. Furthermore, low temperature quenching （480℃） is more beneficial to the joint strength. The joint strength can reach 85% of the base metal. Whereas both low temperature aging （140 ℃× 56h） and stepped aging （ 100 ℃× 12 h ＋ 180 ℃× 3 h） processes decrease the joint strength. After heat treatment all the joints show decreased ductility due to the obvious grain coarsening in the nugget zone （NZ） and thermo-mechanically affected zone （TMAZ）.

Comparative study on local and global mechanical properties of bobbin tool and conventional friction stir welded 7085-T7452 aluminum thick plate

7085-T7452 plates with a thickness of 12 mm were welded by conventional single side and bobbin tool friction stir welding （SS-FSW and BB-FSW, respectively） at different welding parameters. The temperature distribution, microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of joints along the thickness direction were investigated, and digital image correlation （DIC） was utilized to evaluate quantitatively the deformation of different zones during tensile tests. The results indicated that heat-affected zone （HAZ）, the local softening region, was responsible for the early plastic deformation and also the fracture location for SS-FSW samples, while a rapid fracture was observed in weld nugget zone （WNZ） before yield behavior for all BB-FSW specimens. The ultimate tensile strength （UTS） of SS-FSW joints presented the highest value of 410 MPa, 82% of the base material, at a rotational speed of 300 rpm and welding speed of 60 mm/min, much higher than that of BB-FSW joints, with a joint efficiency of only 47%. This should be attributed to the Lazy S defect produced by a larger extent of heat input during the BB-FSW process, The whole joint exhibited a much higher elongation than the slices. Scanning electron microscopic （SEM） analysis of the fracture morphologies showed that joints failed through ductile fracture for SS-FSW and brittle fracture for BB-FSW.