Quality Enhancement of TIG Welded Al6061 SiCp Composites by Age Hardening Process

Abstract

Aluminium and its alloys have exceptional corrosion resistant properties, simplicity of fabrication and extraordinary specific strength-to-weight ratio. The main objective of this study is to explore the effect of age hardening on the mechanical properties of tungsten inert gas (TIG) welded joints of the composite. This study highlights the enrichment in mechanical properties like hardness and tensile strength of TIG welded Al6061-SiC composites. A single-pass TIG welding using 5356 filler material is carried out on the composite with varying percentages of SiC having 25 µm. The hardness and tensile strength of the weld zone in as-weld condition is measured. The samples are then subjected to age hardening treatment at different temperatures and the peak hardness values are determined. The tensile strength is noted, and these values are compared with the values of the as-weld condition. The microstructure of the fracture surface in as-weld and peak aged condition is taken and the type of failure mode is found out. X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra of the peak-aged sample is also considered for the analysis. The results indicated that there was significant influence leading to substantial improvement of hardness and tensile strength values of the samples after the age hardening process.