Electron Beam Welding of 2099-T83 Aluminium-lithium Alloy Thick Plates

Jozef Bárta,Mária Dománková,Beáta Simeková,Milan Marônek,M Anis,B Munir

doi:10.1051/matecconf/201926902010

Jozef Bárta, Mária Dománková + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201926902010

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Abstract

The paper deals with the welding of AW 2099-T83 aluminium lithium alloy being used for construction of lower wing stringers. The thickness of AW 2099-T83 aluminium lithium alloy was 25.4 mm. Electron beam welding with the accelerating voltage of 55 kV was used for production of welded joints. Welded joints were inspected by computer tomography, macroscopic and microscopic analysis, tensile strength test and microhardness measurement. Welded joints exhibited good weld joint formation, typical to electron beam welding. Weld metal was structure was dendritic formed by α solid solution. Decrease of microhardness was observed mainly in the centre of weld metal due to dissolution of precipitates. The fracture occurred in the weld metal during tensile strength test. Further research will focus on post-heat treatment of welded joints in order to improve mechanical properties of weld metal.

Highlights

In comparison to other aluminium alloys, the Al-Li hardenable aluminium alloys offer higher elastic modulus, lower density, higher specific strength and higher tolerance to damage
The standard welding methods such as e.g. Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), are characterized by relatively high thermal input, so that the material being welded is significantly heat-affected during welding
The knowledge base related to weldability of aluminium lithium alloys is still narrow

Summary

Introduction

In comparison to other aluminium alloys, the Al-Li hardenable aluminium alloys offer higher elastic modulus, lower density, higher specific strength and higher tolerance to damage. The application of structural components made of Al-Li alloys plays a key-role in the aerospace industry in order to reduce the weight, increase the payload and improve the fuel efficiency of aircraft [1]. The light alloy component production is very often related to the operation of joining. The standard welding methods such as e.g. Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), are characterized by relatively high thermal input, so that the material being welded is significantly heat-affected during welding. This leads to the degradation of structural and mechanical properties of the joints of Al-Li alloys. The knowledge base related to weldability of aluminium lithium alloys is still narrow

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