Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of GMAW Welded Joints Er-Containing Aluminum Alloy

Abstract

This present work explored the welding process of gas metal arc welding for 4mm 5E61 Er-containing aluminum alloy, and then analyzed the microstructure and mechanical properties of the welded joint. The results demonstrated that when the welding current was 160A-220A, the welded joint penetration depth range was 5.75mm to 6.72mm, the melting width ranging from 9.68mm to 11.61mm. When the arc voltage increased from 17.5V to 22.5V, the penetration depth of the welded joint reduced from 6.95mm to 5.57mm, and the melting width ranged from 6.64mm to 11.86mm. When the welding current was 170A, the arc voltage was 17.5V, and the welding speed was 10mm/s. In the third case, a fully penetrated welded joint can be obtained and the joint strength was the highest value. The yield strength reached 192 MPa, the tensile strength can be 301 MPa, and the fracture location occurred in the HAZ. The weld zone of the welded joint mainly consist of the equiaxed dendrites size of 50 μm. The micro-hardness of the weld zone was lower than that of the base metal, and there was no obvious softening phenomenon in the heat affected zone.