Prediction of Weld Strength of PC-TIG Welded Al-8% SiC Metal Matrix Composite – An Empirical Model (EM) Approach

Abstract:

This work is focused on the development of empirical model to predict the mechanical properties of welded Al-SiC metal matrix composites. Autogenous pulsed current-Tungsten inert gas (PC-TIG) welding was performed on 5mm thick Al-8%SiC composite plates. Regression equations were developed to predict the tensile strength, yield strength, percentage of elongation and bend strength of pulsed current TIG weld Al-SiC composite by varying weld parameters such as peak current, base current, pulse on time and pulse frequency. The effect of each pulsed current TIG welding parameters and interaction between two more parameters on the ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, percentage of elongation and bend strength were studied for clear understanding of PCTIG welding parameters. Improved mechanical properties viz. 136 MPa tensile strength, 117 MPa yield strength with 15% elongation were achieved using optimal PCTIG welding parameters. The predicted values were experimentally verified for consistency and validation. This study also resulted in understanding the significant factors which were responsible for improved weld strength of the chosen candidate material.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volumes 813-814)
• Pages: 467-473
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.813-814.467
• Online since: November 2015
• Authors: Sivachidambaram Pichumani, Krishnamoorthy Balachandar*
• Keywords: Empirical Model, Metal Matrix Composites (MMC), Pulsed Current (PC), Taguchi Orthogonal Array, Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG)

References

[1] K.M. Shorowordi, T. Laoui, A.S.M.A. Haseeb, J.P. Celis, L. Froyen, 2003, Microstructure and interface characteristics of B4C, SiC and Al2O3 reinforced Al matrix composites - a comparative study, Journal of Materials Processing Technology, 142, pp.738-743.

DOI: 10.1016/s0924-0136(03)00815-x

[2] YeXia Qin, Di Zhang, WeiJie Lu, Wei Pan, 2006, Oxidation behavior of in situ synthesized (TiB+TiC)Ti-Al composites, Materials Letters, 60, pp.2339-2345. (doi: 10. 1016/j. matlet. 2006. 01. 005).

DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2006.01.005

[3] K.L. Meena, A. Manna, S.S. Banwati, Jaswanti, 2013, An Analysis of Mechanical Properties of the Developed Al/SiC MMC's, American Journal of Mechanical Engineering, Volume 1, Number 1, pp.14-19. (doi: 10. 12691/ajme-1-1-3).

DOI: 10.12691/ajme-1-1-3

[4] G.G. Sozhamannan, S. Balasivanandha Prabu, V.S.K. Venkatagalapathy, 2012, Effect of Processing Parameters on Metal Matrix Composites: Stir Casting Process, Volume 2, pp.11-15. (doi: 10. 4236/jsemat. 2012. 21002).

DOI: 10.4236/jsemat.2012.21002

[5] S. Naher, D. Brabazon, L. Looney, 2004, Development and assessment of new quick quench stir caster design for the production of metal matrix composites, Journal of Materials Processing Technology, 106, pp.430-439.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2004.09.043

[6] J. Hashim, L. Looney, M.S.J. Hashmi, 1999, Metal matrix composites: Production by the stir casting method, Journal of Materials Processing Technology, Volume 92-93, 1999, pp.1-7. (PII: S0924 - 0136(9 9)00118 - 1).

DOI: 10.1016/s0924-0136(99)00118-1

[7] LEI Yu-cheng, YUAN Wei-jin, CHEN Xi-zhang, ZHU Fei, CHENG Xiao-nong, 2007, In-situ weld-alloying plasma arc welding of SiCp/Al MMC, , Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China, 17, pp.313-317.

DOI: 10.1016/s1003-6326(07)60091-0

[8] Selvi Dev, A. Archibald Stuart, R.C. Ravi Dev Kumar, B.S. Murty, K. Prasad Rao, 2007, Effect of scandium additions on microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-Zn-Mg alloy welds, Materials Science and Engineering A, 467, pp.132-138.

DOI: 10.1016/j.msea.2007.02.080

[9] Urena, M.D. Escalera, L. Gil, 2000, Influence of interface reactions on fracture mechanisms in TIG arc-welded aluminium matrix composites, Composites Science and Technology, 60, pp.613-622. (PII: S0266-3538(99)00168-2).

DOI: 10.1016/s0266-3538(99)00168-2

[10] LEI Yu-cheng, ZHANG Zhen, NIE Jia-jun, CHEN Xi-zhang, 2008, Effect of Ti-Al on microstructures and mechanical properties of plasma arc in-situ welded joint of SiCp/Al MMCs, Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China, 18, pp.809-813.

DOI: 10.1016/s1003-6326(08)60140-5

[11] Kumar, P. Shailesh, S. Sundarrajan, 2008, Optimization of magnetic arc oscillation process parameters on mechanical properties of AA5456 Aluminum alloy weldments, , Materials and Design, 29, pp.1904-1913. (doi: 10. 1016/j. matdes. 2008. 04. 044).

DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2008.04.044

[12] S.R. Koteswara Rao, G. Madhusudhana Reddy, M. Kamaraj, K. Prasad Rao, 2005, Grain refinement through arc manipulation techniques in Al-Cu alloy GTA welds, Materials Science and Engineering A, 404, pp.227-234.

DOI: 10.1016/j.msea.2005.05.080

[13] V. Balasubramanian, V. Ravisankar, G. Madhusudhan Reddy, 2007, Effect of pulsed current and post weld aging treatment on tensile properties of argon arc welded high strength aluminium alloys, Material Science and Engineering A, 459, pp.19-34.

DOI: 10.1016/j.msea.2006.12.125

[14] T. Senthil Kumar, V. Balasubramanian, M.Y. Sanavullah, 2007, Influences of pulsed current tungsten inert gas welding parameter on the tensile properties of AA6061 aluminium alloy, Materials and Design, 28, pp.2080-2092.

DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2006.05.027

[15] V. Balasubramanian, V. Ravisankar, G. Madhusudhan Reddy, 2008, Effect of pulsed current welding on fatigue behaviour of high strength aluminium alloy joints, Materials and Design, 29, 2008, page 492-500. (doi: 10. 1016/j. matdes. 2006. 12. 015).

DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2006.12.015