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Mechanical properties, thermal profiles, and microstructural characteristics of Al-8 %SiC composite welded using pulsed current TIG welding

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Abstract

This experimental study on Al-SiC composite investigated the temperature distribution and microstructural characterization during pulsed current tungsten inert gas (PCTIG) welding. The parameters considered for PCTIG welding were peak current, base current, pulse frequency, and pulse on time. Experiments were designed and conducted using L9 orthogonal array technique. Regression model was developed to predict the ultimate tensile strength, bending load, cooling rate, and peak temperature. Statistical software was used to obtain the optimal PCTIG welding parameters, such as peak current of 160 A, base current of 60 A, pulse on time of 50 %, and pulse frequency of 5 Hz to attain desired result, including increased peak temperature of 446 °C, increased ultimate tensile strength of 138 MPa, and high cooling rate of 20 °C/s. Fine grain structures were also observed in weld region. Additionally, SEM fractography showed the difference in fracture surface between the PCTIG welding effects of different welding conditions. Statistical software was also used in identifying significant factors that caused improvement in weld strength, grain refinement in weld zone, and high cooling rate during PCTIG welding of Al-SiC composite.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Mechanical Engineering, SASTRA University, Thanjavur, 613401, India

    Sivachidambaram Pichumani, Raghuraman Srinivasan & Venkatraman Ramamoorthi

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  1. Sivachidambaram Pichumani
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  2. Raghuraman Srinivasan
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  3. Venkatraman Ramamoorthi
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Correspondence to Raghuraman Srinivasan.

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Recommended by Associate Editor Young Whan Park

P. Sivachidambaram is a doctoral student in the School of Mechanical Engineering, SASTRA Deemed University. Past 7 years he is working on the field of composite material & welding and to evaluate the mechanical properties and material characteristics of the welded & casted material. He is having field of interest in Powder metallurgy, Material processing technology & Additive Manufacturing. He is broadening his research interest in Nuclear Materials, Reverse Engineering & Automation in Manufacturing.

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Pichumani, S., Srinivasan, R. & Ramamoorthi, V. Mechanical properties, thermal profiles, and microstructural characteristics of Al-8 %SiC composite welded using pulsed current TIG welding. J Mech Sci Technol 32, 1713–1723 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-018-0130-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-018-0130-4

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