Some Practical Aspects of Welding Heat Treatable Aluminium Alloys

Abstract

Aluminium alloys are extensively used for a wide range of applications due to several attractive properties inherent in this group of materials. Excellent corrosion resistance, good toughness even at low temperatures and high strength to weight ratio of several grades of Aluminium alloys have led to increased industrial applications for these alloys in key areas like aerospace and defense, cryogenic, marine, transportation, tankage and piping. A great many of these applications involve welding as a means of application. While many alloys of aluminium including the high strength heat treatable alloys are weldable in principle and infact welded regularly, yet problems do arise occasionally.