The Influence of Electron Beam Welding on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of AlMgSi (Cu) alloys

For many commonly used aluminium alloys, electron beam welding (EBW - Electron Beam Welding) is a very suitable welding process. However, etching the workpiece surface in the weld area before welding reduces the oxide layer and thus improves the flow behaviour and weld quality with reduced porosity. Furthermore, with EBW no problems arise from reflection of the beam resulting in reduced energy input. In this study, microhardness, microstructure, tensile and bend properties of AlSiMg(Cu) alloys in EBW was investigated. The influence of EBW technological parameters on properties of welded joints were discussed. SEM and EDS analysis studies were conducted to examine the effects of alloying elements as well as EBW parameters on the properties of welded joints. The conducted experiments revealed that the use of electron beam can produce welds with high quality. Porosity as well as cracks were not observed. The welding speed of 2000 mm/min have resulted in narrow width of welds for all alloys. In comparison with different alloys has experienced severe deterioration in mechanical properties due to softening in the fusion zone resulting from dissolution of the strengthening precipitates in the weld metal and HAZ, such deterioration is in the range of AlSiMg(Cu) 81-99% of base material.