Reducing residual distortion of thin-plate weldments by rotating extrusion

Abstract

A new method named rotating extrusion was developed to mitigate residual distortion of thin-plate weldments. The basic principle and characteristic of rotating extrusion as well as an efficient rotating extrusion device were introduced. Systematic trials were conducted to investigate the influence of several technological parameters including the distance between the extrusion tool and welding torch, the pressure acting on weldment, the dimension of the extrusion tool and its rotational speed on distortion control effect. Experimental results show that, as for 2A12T4 aluminum alloy weldment with 2 mm in thickness, 150 mm in width and 350 mm in length, when appropriate technological parameters are adopted, rotating extrusion can reduce its buckling deflection to below 3% of the original value. Implementing rotating extrusion during welding with an extrusion tool more than 100 mm away from the welding torch may achieve better distortion mitigation effect.