Investigation on Hot Cracking of Aluminum 7xxx Alloy Using Gas Tungsten Arc Welding

Abstract

Food packaging, structural components in the aerospace industry, and other uses for aluminized aluminium alloys are just a few of the many uses for this abundant metal. Because of its low weight, moderate strength, and high corrosion resistance, aluminium and its alloys have found widespread use in a wide range of industries. Aluminum alloys of the 7xxx series have superior mechanical qualities when compared to other aluminium alloy series. The alloy AA7075 is utilised in the structure of aircraft wings. When fusion welding is used to combine certain alloys, they are more prone to solidification or hot cracking. The alloying components present contribute to these alloys' high crack sensitivity. Thus, a rigorous analysis has been undertaken in this project effort to determine how to reduce the susceptibility of the alloy 7075 to hot cracking by adjusting the composition without affecting the mechanical qualities. A thorough background study has been conducted on the effect of hot cracking on the aluminium alloy AA7075, and a methodology for overcoming this welding defect has been developed. This methodology includes altering the composition of the major alloying elements in AA7075 and stabilising the composition for the development of a new alloy. Experiments were conducted and alloys were cast with a predetermined composition. The samples were subjected to a hot cracking test, and the sample with the best result had its mechanical properties determined. The test results were compared to those obtained with AA7075 and discussed in this paper.