Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Welded Joints of AA6061-T6 Alloy by Cold Metal Transfer Method

CMT bonding process were done on the 2 plates of 5 mm thick AA6061-T6 alloy by means of ER 4043 wire-electrode of Φ1.2 mm as the filler metal. This study concentrates the impact of a PWHT on the micro-structural and mechanical characteristics of an AA6061-T6 alloy specimen bonded by means of GMAW and by CMT. The welded samples here separated as as-welded and PWHT samples. The ASTM standard E8M-04 was used for cutting all samples in order to get the tensile strength and to measure the bonded joint elongation. The hardness across the bonded joints was measured by using Vickers micro-hardness testing setup. Scanned electron microscopy (SEM) is employed to analyse failure pattern of tensile test performed specimens.