• Journal of Welding and Joining
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.102-108
• /
• 2002

Resistance spot welding of aluminum alloys is based upon Joule heating of the components by passing a large current in a short duration. Since aluminum alloys have the potential to replace steels fur automobile body assemblies, it is important to study the process robustness of aluminum spot welding process. In order to evaluate the effects of process parameters on the weld quality, major process variables and abnormal process conditions were selected and analyzed. A newly developed two-stage, sliding-level experiment was adopted fur effective parameter design and analysis. Suitable ranges of welding current and button diameters were obtained through the experiment. The effects of the factors and their levels on the variation of acceptable welding current were considered in terms of main effects. From the results, it is concluded that any abnormal process condition decreases the suitable current range in the weld lobe curve. Pareto analysis of variance was also introduced to estimate the significant factors on the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio. Among the six factors studied, fit-up condition is found to be the most significant factor influencing the SM ratio. Using a Pareto diagram, the optimal condition is determined and the SM ratio is significantly improved using the optimal condition.

• International journal of advanced smart convergence
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.145-153
• /
• 2015

Friction Stir Welding (FSW) is a solid state welding that could successfully weld the difficult-to-weldmaterials such as an aluminum alloy. In this welding process, the stirrer of the welding tool is one of the important factors for producing the perfect sound joint that indicates the higher joint strength. So, this report aims to apply the friction stir welding using various stirrer geometries to weld the AA6063-T1 aluminum alloy butt joint, investigates the mechanical properties of the joint and then compares the mechanical properties with the microstructure of the joint. An experiment was started by applying the friction stir welding process to weld a 6.3 mm thickness of AA6063-T1 aluminum alloy butt joint. A study of the stirrer geometries effect such as a cylindrical geometry, a cone geometry, a left screw geometry and a right screw geometry at a rotational speed of 2000 rpm and a welding speed of 50-200 mm/min was performed. The mechanical properties such as a tensile strength and a hardness of the joint were also investigated and compared with the microstructure of the joint. The results are as follows. A variation of FSW Stirrer shape directly affected the quality AA6063-T1 aluminum alloy butt joint. A cylindrical stirrer shape and a cone stirrer shape produced the void defect at the bottom part of the weld metal and initiated the failure of the joint when the joint was subjected to the load during the tensile test. Left and right screw stirrer shapes gave the sound joint with no void defect in the weld metal and affected to increase the joint strength that was higher than that of the aluminum base metal.

• Journal of Welding and Joining
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.38-42
• /
• 2013

In the welding of aluminum, it is important to provide a stable gas shield to exclude not only oxygen, but any sources of hydrogen, from the arc environment. Common sources of hydrogen are humidity in the air around the arc, moisture in the shielding gas, and residual lubricants on the surface of the welding consumable. Since molten aluminum can absorb seventy times more hydrogen than solid aluminum, as the aluminum cools, it releases hydrogen that then becomes trapped in the form of hydrogen bubbles in the solidifying metal.

• Journal of Welding and Joining
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.62-66
• /
• 2016

The trend of the fabrication technology of high strength, high toughness aluminum alloys by the severe plastic deformation(SPD) process and the welding technology of lightweight alloys in the automobile has been studied. The lightweight aluminum alloys can reduce vehicle weight, while stringently demanding the high quality and efficient welding techniques, to produce the best weldments. Among the production technologies, welding plays an important role in the fabrication of lightweight vehicle structure. This paper covers the scientometric analysis of the severe plastic deformations of lightweight alloys and the welding technology in the automobile which are based on the published research works in the 'HPT, ECAP and rolling', and 'welding technology of the automobile' obtained from Web of Science, and deals with the details of the background data of the HPT, ECAP, and rolling of lightweight alloys, and welding technology of the automobile technology.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Technology of Plasticity Conference
• /
• 2006.05a
• /
• pp.292-294
• /
• 2006

The aluminum Subframe for automobile chassis part was developed using hybrid process, i.e. extruforming, press stamping and MIG welding. To achieve a 30 % weight reduction compared with convensional steel subframe keeping satisfactory performance, the design of cross-section of extruforming part was introduced, then forming simulation was performed and the final design was determined. In addition, we tried to estibilish optimun aluminum welding conditions for good penetration depth and few pore defect, finally the prototype of aluminum subframe was assembled using MIG welding method. Furthermore, we will adapt this technology to mass production and apply to the other chassis parts.

• Journal of Welding and Joining
• /
• v.29 no.6
• /
• pp.82-87
• /
• 2011

In this study, we conducted laser welding by using remote scanner that is 5J32 aluminum alloy to observe the mechanical properties and optimize welding process parameters. As the control factors, laser incident angle, laser power and welding speed were set and as the result of weldablility, tensile shear tests were performed. ANOVA (Analysis of Variation) was also carried out to identify the influence of process variables on tensile shear strength. Strength estimation models were suggested using regression alnalysis and 2nd order polynomial model had the best estimation performance. In addition optimal welding condition was determined in terms with wedalility and productivity using objective function and fitness function. Final optimized welding condition was laser power was 4 kW, and welding speed was 4.6 m/min.

• Laser Solutions
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.16-20
• /
• 2008

The lap Joint welding of 6K21 aluminum sheets by Nd:YAG laser were performed with an aluminum 5183 filler wire or without a filler wire. The porosity of laser welding beads were observed through an optical microscope and X-ray photography with various levels of welding speed and gap size. The porosity was observed in the gap between upper and lower sheet near a heat affected zone when autogenous welding. Decrease of welding speed and use of AA5183 filler wire reduced porosity significantly.

• Journal of Welding and Joining
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.34-39
• /
• 2014

There are so many difficulties of melt bonding mainly applied for hull construction of a aluminum alloy small boat. For resolving this problem, Friction stir welding(FSW) in non-melting solid state welding Process generally is applied in the transport industry. This paper is studied the joining strength characteristics and macrostructure according to dissimilar aluminium 5000/6000 alloy joining for a small boat applied for this FSW technology. It is reported that difference of joining strength in accordance with the direction of rotation in case of friction stir welding between dissimilar metals(Al/Cu, Al/Fe) is also highly large. In this study, Test is carried out by making the specimen according to the direction of rotation of dissimilar aluminium alloy joining.

• Proceedings of the KWS Conference
• /
• 2002.10a
• /
• pp.694-699
• /
• 2002

In autobody assembly, thin-wall, tubular connections have been used for the frame structure. Recent interest in light materials, such as aluminum or magnesium alloys, has been rapidly growing for weight reduction and fuel efficiency. Due to higher thermal expansion coefficient, low stiffness/strength, and low softening temperature of aluminum and magnesium alloys, control of welding-induced distortion in these connections becomes a critical issue. In this study, the material sensitivity to welding distortion was investigated using a T-tubular connection of three types materials; low carbon steel (A500 Gr. A), aluminum alloy (5456-H116) and magnesium alloy (AZ91C-T6). An uncoupled thermal and mechanical finite element analysis scheme using the ABAQUS software program was developed to model and simulate the welding process, welding procedure and material behaviors. The predicted angular distortions were correlated to the cumulative plastic strains. A unique relationship between distortion and plastic strains exists for all three materials studied. The amount of distortion is proportional to the magnitude and distribution of the cumulative plastic strains in the weldment. The magnesium alloy has the highest distortion sensitivity, followed by the other two materials with the steel connection having the least distortion. Results from studies of thin-aluminum plates show that welding distortion can be minimized by reducing the cumulative plastic strains by preventing heat diffusion into the base metal using a strong heat sink placed directly beneath the weld. A rapid cooling method is recommended to reduce welding distortion of magnesium tubular connections.

• Laser Solutions
• /
• v.7 no.3
• /
• pp.11-24
• /
• 2004

In automotive industry, light weight vehicle is one of issues because of the air pollution and the protection of environment. Therefore, automotive manufacturers have tried to apply light materials such as aluminum to car body. Aluminum welding using laser has some advantages high energy density and high productivity. It is very important to understand behavior of plasma and keyhole in order to improve weld quality and monitor the weld state. In this study, spectral analysis was carried out to verify the spectrum for plasma which is generated in laser welding of A 6000 aluminum alloy. Two photodiodes which cover the range of plasma wavelength was used to measure light emission during laser welding according to assist gas flow rate and welding speed. Analysis of relationship between sensor signals of welding variables and formation of keyhole and plasma is performed. To determine the level of significance, analysis of variation (ANOVA) was carried out.