An Experimental Investigation on Hot Cracking and Properties of TIG Welded AA2014 Alloy using Continuous and Pulsed Current

AA2014 Aluminum alloys are most widely used for automobile and aerospace structures where specific strength is important. Hot cracking is a major problem while welding these alloys. In the present investigation, the metallurgical studies, viz, hot cracking sensitivity, microstructure and the mechanical properties, viz, hardness and tensile strength of the 4 mm thickness AA2014 aluminum alloy were studied using two different methods. The first method involves TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding with continuous current process and the second method involves TIG welding with pulsed current process. In both the process commercial argon pure gas was used as a shielding gas. The results showed that hot cracking sensitivity was decreased when the specimen was welded using pulsed current process compared to continuous current process. Similarly, the specimen was welded with pulsed current process and showed improved mechanical properties compared to continuous current process because low heat input leads to relatively fine grain structure.