Aluminum Welding: Out-of-Position Welding of 5000 Series Aluminum Alloys Using Pulse GMAW Power Sources.

摘要

This report primarily describes the weld test work conducted during the development of welding procedure qualification data, welding techniques and welding procedure specification relative to full penetration, one-side, out-of- position, manual pulsed gas metal arc butt welding of 5000 series aluminum alloy sheets and plates for marine fabrication. This project was conducted with the use of basic 'off-the-shelf' welding power sources (less than $5,000), feeders, guns and accessories currently available to all U.S. Shipyards. Our literature survey indicated that substantial information covering gas metal arc welding (GNAW) of aluminum alloy is available. However, very little information appeared available on manual one-side, full weld penetration gas metal arc butt welding of 5000 series aluminum alloy sheets and plates in all welding positions with the use of either pulse or short-arc welding modes on the pulse arc equipment. The short-circuit mode has not been applied commonly to aluminum welding since it had originally been developed for steel in CO2 gases. No high speed oscilloscope nor high speed motion pictures were taken to interpret the physical meaning of OHM in the pulse spray transfer or IN the 'pulsed short- circuiting' arc welding modes. All testing was conducted on a one-on-one basis, i.e. the welder vs. attainment of full penetration, one-side, out-of-position manual gas metal arc welding of marine aluminum alloy sheet and plate. It is anticipated that some of the results and techniques developed might be implemented as an improved cost-effective approach to hull, superstructure, sheet metal and piping fabrication. It is also anticipated that fabricators of surface effect ships, hydrofoils and crew boats may find applications of some information developed.