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At least 19 records

Weldability Investigation of Crack Resistant Aluminum Filler Metals Developed for Large Scale Additive Manufacturing and Industrial Welding Applications

In this study the NASA MSFC welding and manufacturing team investigated a new-age aluminum filler wire designed for welding and additive manufacturing (AM) of high strength aluminum alloys. High strength aluminum alloys are known to exhibit hot cracking and hot tearing issues during fusion welding operations. The goal of this investigation was to determine whether this new-age family of alloys can suppress the hot cracking and hot tearing issues exhibited during welding of high strength aluminum alloys and to do an initial characterization of the mechanical performance of welds created using these filler wires. This study focuses on fusion welding of aluminum alloy 6061 and compares the weldability characteristics of five aluminum filler metals and two forms of 6061 base material. The MSFC team utilized manual gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) to conduct all welding operations and carried out metallographic analysis accompanied with mechanical testing to evaluate the performance of the welds created during this study. During the study it was observed that the new-age filler wires facilitated grain refinement in the weld fusion zone and were capable of creating crack free welds in aluminum alloy 6061 while exhibiting properties that met or exceeded conventional off the shelf aluminum filler metals.

Welding↗

High Strength Aluminum Alloy For High Temperature Applications

A cast article from an aluminum alloy has improved mechanical properties at elevated temperatures. The cast article has the following composition in weight percent: Silicon 6.0-25.0, Copper 5.0-8.0, Iron 0.05-1.2, Magnesium 0.5-1.5, Nickel 0.05-0.9, Manganese 0.05-1.2, Titanium 0.05-1.2, Zirconium 0.05-1.2, Vanadium 0.05-1.2, Zinc 0.05-0.9, Strontium 0.001-0.1, Phosphorus 0.001-0.1, and the balance is Aluminum, wherein the silicon-to-magnesium ratio is 10-25, and the copper-to-magnesium ratio is 4-15. The aluminum alloy contains a simultaneous dispersion of three types of Al3X compound particles (X=Ti, V, Zr) having a LI2 crystal structure, and their lattice parameters are coherent to the aluminum matrix lattice. A process for producing this cast article is also disclosed, as well as a metal matrix composite, which includes the aluminum alloy serving as a matrix containing up to about 60% by volume of a secondary filler material.

Jonathan A Lee↗

High-strength aluminum alloy coatings, deformation layers and methods of making the same

A high-strength aluminum alloy coating. The coating includes aluminum, 9R phase, fine grains, nanotwins, stacking faults, and a solute capable of stabilizing the 9R phase, the fine grains, and the stacking faults. A method of making a high-strength aluminum alloy coating on a substrate. The method includes, depositing the constituents of an aluminum alloy on a substrate such that the deposit forms a high-strength aluminum alloy coating containing 9R phase, fine grains, nanotwins, and stacking faults. A high-strength deformation layer in and on a casting of an aluminum alloy containing 9R phase, fine grains, nanotwins, stacking faults, and a solute capable of stabilizing the PR phase, the fine grains, and the stacking faults. A method of making a high-strength deformation layer in and on a casting of an aluminum alloy by deforming the alloy such that deformation layer contains 9R phase, fine grains, nanotwins, and stacking faults.

Zhang, Xinghang↗

High-strength aluminum alloy coatings, deformation layers and methods of making the same

A high-strength aluminum alloy coating. The coating includes aluminum, 9R phase, fine grains, nanotwins, stacking faults, and a solute capable of stabilizing the 9R phase, the fine grains, and the stacking faults. A method of making a high-strength aluminum alloy coating on a substrate. The method includes, depositing the constituents of an aluminum alloy on a substrate such that the deposit forms a high-strength aluminum alloy coating containing 9R phase, fine grains, nanotwins, and stacking faults. A high-strength deformation layer in and on a casting of an aluminum alloy containing 9R phase, fine grains, nanotwins, stacking faults, and a solute capable of stabilizing the PR phase, the fine grains, and the stacking faults. A method of making a high-strength deformation layer in and on a casting of an aluminum alloy by deforming the alloy such that deformation layer contains 9R phase, fine grains, nanotwins, and stacking faults.

Zhang, Xinghang↗

Techno-Economic Analysis for Shear Assisted Processing and Extrusion (ShAPE) of High Strength Aluminum Alloys

Aluminum alloy 7075 (AA7075) is a high strength aluminum alloy (HSAL), attractive for applications such as automotive, aviation, aerospace, defense, and marine applications. However, AA7075 has not yet been widely adopted due slow extrusion speed, high energy use, narrow process window, and sensitivity to incipient melting common in conventional extrusion methods. Alternative extrusion methods may overcome these limitations. New research funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Manufacturing Office (AMO) is exploring the use of a new SPP approach called Shear Assisted Processing and Extrusion (ShAPE) for the manufacture of AA7075 extrusions. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) are leading the development, testing and characterization of ShAPE, which is showing that high speed ShAPE extrusions (e.g., above 12 meters/min) which is significantly faster than the 1-2 meters/min possible with conventional AA7075 extrusions. Initial findings from the economic and energy analysis indicate that AA7075 tubes created with ShAPE use less energy than tubes that are conventionally heated and extruded. The reduction in energy use is primarily a result of using direct chill cast (non-homogenized) billets, eliminating the pre-heating step, and faster extrusion speeds. The TEA model translates CAPEX and O&M costs to a manufacturing cost, and then a minimum sustainable price (MSP) per ton of extruded product for multiple facility capacities. A sample output figure of the TEA model is presented below. It presents results of the preliminary version of the TEA model.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Investigation of the plastic fracture of high-strength aluminum alloys

In a study of plastic fracture in five high-strength aluminum alloys (2014, 2024, 2124, 7075, and 7079), it has been shown that fracture toughness is affected primarily by the size and volume fraction of the larger (2 to 10 microms) second-phase particles. Certain of these particles crack at small plastic strains, nucleating voids which, with further plastic strain, coalesce to cause fracture. Not all second-phase particles crack at small plastic strains, and qualitative analysis of those which are primarily responsible for void nucleation shows that they contain iron or silicon or both. This result suggests that a reduction in the iron and silicon impurity content of the alloys should improve fracture toughness without loss of strength.

Van Stone, R. H.↗

Welding high-strength aluminum alloys

Handbook has been published which integrates results of 19 research programs involving welding of high-strength aluminum alloys. Book introduces metallurgy and properties of aluminum alloys by discussing commercial alloys and heat treatments. Several current welding processes are reviewed such as gas tungsten-arc welding and gas metal-arc welding.

Parks, P. G.↗