AGING EFFECTS ON THE MICROSTRUCTURE OF A TUNGSTEN INERT GAS WELDED AA2024 ALLOY

Erturun V., Kumru S., Fıdan H.

JOURNAL OF THE BALKAN TRIBOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, vol.22, pp.372-383, 2016 (SCI-Expanded) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 22
  • Publication Date: 2016
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF THE BALKAN TRIBOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.372-383
  • Keywords: TIG welding, aluminum, grain structure, heat treatment, MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES, TIG WELDS, JOINTS, HEAT
  • Erciyes University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Effect of aging on the microstructure of tungsten inert gas (TIG) welded joints made of a 2024 aluminum alloy was examined in this study. The microstructural features were characterised by optical and scanning electron microscopy techniques. Microhardness tests in different welding zones were conducted in addition to elemental analysis by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. It was observed that aging improved mechanical properties of the welded joints. TIG welding resulted in grain growth in the weld pool while the grains in the heat affected zones were finer compared to rest of the microstructure. Hardnesses of the welded joints were decreased with coarsened grain size and aging.