skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Microstructure, texture and mechanical properties of 6061 aluminum laser beam welded joints

Journal Article · · Materials Characterization
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [2];  [4];  [5]
  1. College of Materials Science and Engineering, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an, 710048 (China)
  2. State Key Laboratory of Structural Analysis for Industrial Equipment, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116023 (China)
  3. Hunan University of Technology, Zhuzhou 412007 (China)
  4. College of Aerospace Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044 (China)
  5. School of Chemistry, Physics and Mechanical Engineering, Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD, 4001 (Australia)

Highlights: • Strong cube texture ({001}<100>) is observed in columnar dendrites. • The ratio of equiaxed dendrites shows proportional relationship with the strength. • The relations between process-microstructure-property are accurately established. - Abstract: In the present study, laser beam welding was carried out with 6061 Al alloy plate to study the microstructural evolution under various welding heat input (ηP/v = 30 J/mm, 38 J/mm, 46 J/mm, and 58 J/mm). The width of the weld metals increased continuously with the heat input values. Quantitatively correlation of the microstructure distribution with welding parameters was developed based on the EBSD results. The weld metals mainly consisted of coarse columnar dendrites and equiaxed dendrites. The ratio of equiaxed dendrites which were controlled by constitutional supercooling and heterogeneous nuclei showed directly proportional relationship with the weld strength. Strong cube texture ({001}<100>) was observed in columnar dendrites, which showed harmful effect on the weld strength. Slight softening in heat affected zone due to recrystallization was identified by nanoindentation tests. All specimens failed in weld metal and the fracture surfaces showed the characteristics of ductile fracture.

OSTI ID:
22804928
Journal Information:
Materials Characterization, Vol. 137; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2017 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1044-5803
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English