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Title: Gas-tungsten arc welding of aluminum alloys

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6499918

The present invention is directed to a gas-tungsten arc welding method for joining together structures formed of aluminum alloy with these structures disposed contiguously to a heat-damagable substrate of a metal dissimilar to the aluminum alloy. The method of the present invention is practiced by diamond machining the fay surfaces of the aluminum alloy structures to profice a mirror finish thereon having a surface roughness in the order of about one microinch. The fay surface are aligned and heated sufficiently by the tungsten electrode to fuse the aluminum alloy continguous to the fay surfaces to effect the weld joint. The heat input used to provide an oxide-free weld is significantly less than that required if the fay surfaces were prepared by using conventional chemical and mechanical practices.

DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-26
Assignee:
EDB-83-050548
Application Number:
ON: DE83006878
OSTI ID:
6499918
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English