Abstract
The conjoint influence of welding and artificial aging on mechanical properties were investigated for extrusions of aluminum alloy 6063, 6061, and 6005A. Uniaxial tensile tests were conducted on the aluminum alloys 6063-T4, 6061-T4, and 6005A-T1 in both the as-received (AR) and as-welded (AW) conditions. Tensile tests were also conducted on the AR and AW alloys, subsequent to artificial aging. The welding process used was gas metal arc (GMAW) with spray transfer using 120–220 A of current at 22 V. The artificial aging used was a precipitation heat treatment for 6 h at 182 °C (360 °F). Tensile tests revealed the welded aluminum alloys to have lower strength, both for yield and ultimate tensile strength, when compared to the as-received un-welded counterpart. The beneficial influence of post weld heat treatment (PWHT) on strength and ductility is presented and discussed in terms of current design provisions for welded aluminum light pole structures.
Highlights
Introduction and BackgroundOver the last four decades, i.e., since the early 1970s, structural aluminum alloys have been used in a myriad of applications, primarily because they can offer an attractive combination of strength, are light in weight, have a high strength-to-weight (σ/ρ) ratio, and, most importantly, are cost efficient [1]
Many products are being increasingly fabricated from 6XXX-series aluminum alloys due to their innate ability to be extruded into complex shapes, coupled with their receptiveness to welding and their notable resistance to environment-induced degradation or corrosion [2]
This paper focuses on the mechanical properties of Post Weld Heat Treated (PWHT) aluminum alloys that are preferentially chosen for use in light poles
Summary
Introduction and BackgroundOver the last four decades, i.e., since the early 1970s, structural aluminum alloys have been used in a myriad of applications, primarily because they can offer an attractive combination of strength, are light in weight, have a high strength-to-weight (σ/ρ) ratio, and, most importantly, are cost efficient [1]. Many products are being increasingly fabricated from 6XXX-series aluminum alloys due to their innate ability to be extruded into complex shapes, coupled with their receptiveness to welding and their notable resistance to environment-induced degradation or corrosion [2]. Understanding the weldability and resultant mechanical properties is important in an attempt to put these alloys to efficient use. It is uncommon for an aluminum alloy to be welded with no influence on microstructure and resultant mechanical properties, such as strength. Precipitation heat treatment does offer the promise of minimizing the negative effects of welding on the mechanical properties of the family of 6XXX alloys. A product of considerable practical interest and significance is welded aluminum light poles [3,4]
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