Abstract:
The preset investigation is aimed to study the effect of welding processes such as MIG
and TIG on mechanical and microstructure properties of AA5083 aluminium alloy. The
preferred welding processes of this alloy are frequently tungsten inert gas (TIG) and
metal inert gas (MIG) due to their comparatively easier applicability and better economy.
In this alloy, the weld fusion zones typically exhibit coarse columnar grains because of
the prevailing thermal conditions during weld metal solidification. This often causes
inferior weld mechanical properties and poor resistance to hot cracking. Three sets of
aluminium alloy plates with 6 mm thickness had been used as the base material for
preparing single pass butt welded joints. The filler metal used for joining the plate is
ER5356 for TIG and MTL 5183 for MIG of grade aluminium alloy. In the present work,
tensile strength, hardness strength, bend strength, metallographic examination, Scanning
Electron Microscopy (SEM) examination and salt spray test of the GMA W and GT AW
joints have been evaluated, and the results are compared. From this investigation, it is
found that TIG joints of AA5083 aluminium alloy showed superior mechanical properties
compared with GMA W joints, and this is mainly due to the formation of finer
microstructure in the weld zone.
