Effect of Metal Inert Gas Welding on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Al-Zn-Mg Alloy

Abstract:

Abstract. The microstructure and mechanical properties of a metal inert gas welds in a medium strength Al-4Zn-1Mg alloy were characterized by optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and tensile tests. It is found that the joint of the alloy contained three distinctive regions, i.e. fusion zone, heat affected zone and base metal region. Extensive microhardness measurements were conducted in the weld regions of the nuggets exhibited a hardness loss in the fusion zone due to the loss of strengthening phases. Microstructural examination of the joints revealed typical eutectic structure was appeared in the heat-affected zone. Tensile properties of the joints were obtained by testing flat transverse tensile specimens, and the results indicated that tensile strength of these welds approached 83.3~84.2% of the base metal.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 418-420)
• Pages: 1396-1399
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.418-420.1396
• Online since: December 2011
• Authors: Feng Wang, Bai Qing Xiong, Yong An Zhang, Hong Wei Liu, Zhi Hui Li, Xi Wu Li
• Keywords: Al-Zn-Mg Alloy, Mechanical Property, Metal Inert Gas Welding, Microstructure

References

[1] G. Cam, M. Kocak: J. Mater. Sci. Vol. 42 (2007), p.7154

[2] P. Wanjara, M. Brochu: Vacuum, Vol. 2 (2010), p.268

[3] V. Balasubramanian, V. Ravisankar, G. Madhusudhan Reddy: Int. J. Adv. Manuf. Tech. Vol. 36 (2008), p.254

[4] Stefano Maggiolino, Chiara Schmid: Journal of materials processing technology, Vol. 197 (2008), p.237