Improving the weld quality of aluminium alloy using vibration-assisted TIG welding

AA5052 is widely used in the manufacturing of marine equipment, automotive components, and aerospace components due to its excellent corrosion resistance and weldability. However, it has been noted that the welded joint of AA5052 produced by conventional TIG welding contains coarse grains, which adversely affect the mechanical performance of the weldment. Producing high-quality welds may now be possible with vibration-assisted welding (VAW). Recently, researchers have used medium- and high-frequency vibrations to improve mechanical properties. This study primarily introduces low-frequency mechanical vibration during TIG welding. This study examines an AA5052 plate that is 5 mm thick, 100 mm long, and 50 mm wide. The hardness, tensile strength, and impact strength of vibration-assisted TIG-welded connections were examined using input parameters- welding currents (150 Amps, 200 Amps, and 250 Amps), vibration frequency (0 Hz, 20 Hz, 40 Hz, 60 Hz, 80 Hz, 100 Hz), and vibration duration (60 sec, 90 sec, and 120 sec). The microscopic structure of welded aluminum alloy plates has been examined using SEM and OM. The results of this study revealed that, as a result of weld pool stimulation, the VAW welded connections had an identical, uniform, fine-grained structure with a reduced dendritic microstructure, indicating improved hardness, impact strength, and tensile strength. In terms of the mechanical characteristics of the welded AA5052 plate, the vibration assistance with a low heat input yielded the best results. The microstructure clearly indicates a uniform, fine-grained structure.