Cracking resistance of AlMg4.5Mn alloy TIG welded joints

Abstract

In this paper the AlMg4.5Mn TIG welded joints have been tested in order to investigate their cracking resistance. Testing plates, size of 500×250×12 mm, are welded by TIG procedure in a horizontal-vertical position. Various mixtures of inert gases are prepared and supplied by MESSER TEHNOGAS AD, Smederevo (Serbia), including Ar, Ar + 0.015% N 2 , Ar + 15% He + 0.015% N 2 , Ar + 30% He + 0.015% N 2 , Ar + 50% He + 0.015% N 2 . Nondestructive testing is used to check joint defects, primarily porosity, as typical for this type of alloys. The Charpy specimens, with the notch positioned in different regions of the welded joint, are tested using instrumented pendulum to separate crack initiation and growth energy. Crack resistance is evaluated by using static (KIc) and dynamic testing (Paris law - fatigue crack growth).