Welding the four most popular aluminum alloys
The fact that business is good in aluminum welding is a sure sign that more manufacturers and fabricators are using GMA and GTA welding to build new products out of this lightweight nonferrous metal. Among the most widely specified weldable grades are Alloys 6061, 5083, 5052 and 5454. A rundown on these four alloys, including properties and selected applications, is provided. Any company working with aluminum for the first time needs to know something about these four alloys. Alloys of copper-magnesium-silicon combination, of which 6061 is one, are heat-treatable. The three 5XXX series alloys, on the other hand, are nonheat-treatable. According to P.B. Dickerson, consultant, Lower Burrell, Pa., 5083, because of its high magnesium content, is the easiest of the four alloys to arc weld. Dickerson put the cut-off point in weldability at 3.5% magnesium. To prevent cracking, he added, both 6061 and 5052 require much more filler metal than do the other two alloys. Alloy 6061 consists of 0.25Cu, 0.6Si, 1.0Mg, and 0.20Cr. The main applications for 6061 aluminum are structural, architectural, automotive, railway, marine and pipe. It has good formability, weldability, corrosion resistance and strength. Although the 6XXX series alloys are prone to hot cracking, this condition can be readily overcome by correct choice of joint design and electrode. The most popular temper for 6061 is T6, although the -T651, -T4, and -F temper are also popular. The -T651 temper is like a -T6 temper, only it has received some final stretch hardening. The -T4 temper has been solution heat-treated and quenched. The -F temper is in the as-fabricated condition.
- OSTI ID:
- 5095501
- Journal Information:
- Welding Journal (Miami); (United States), Vol. 73:2; ISSN 0043-2296
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ALUMINIUM BASE ALLOYS
ARC WELDING
MAGNESIUM ALLOYS
CORROSION RESISTANCE
FILLER METALS
LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
TANKER SHIPS
USES
WELDABILITY
ALLOYS
ALUMINIUM ALLOYS
ENERGY SOURCES
FABRICATION
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
JOINING
LIQUEFIED GASES
NATURAL GAS
SHIPS
WELDING
360101* - Metals & Alloys- Preparation & Fabrication