Equal channel angular pressing as a weld strengthening technique for aa6061 weldments using novel die geometry

Abstract

Metal joining could perhaps be said as one of the most newlineindispensable manufacturing processes, with applications across variety of newlineengineering streams ranging from automobile industries to day-to-day newlineconstruction activities. The conventional metal joining techniques primarily newlinerely on melting the two joining surfaces and solidifying them to create a fresh newlinecast joint, which always creates a joint that is a casting. Though the plates newlinebeing welded are wrought the joints inevitably are cast and hence results in newlineheterogenous mechanical properties between the base metal. In alloys systems newlinewith eutectic phase, the high heat input involved in melting the joining newlinesurfaces often degrades the strength of the material in the vicinity of the newlineweldment resulting in the formation of Heat Affected Zone. In welding of newlineheat treatable aluminium alloys, the HAZ degradation is often the weakest newlinepoint of the welded sample. In order to overcome this strength degradation newlinePost Weld Heat Treatment is often the weld strengthening technique adapted newlineindustrially, which thermodynamically restores the strengthening secondary newlinephases to the Heat affected zone. newlineEqual Channel Angular Pressing is a very widely accepted Severe newlinePlastic Deformation process that enhance the strength of the material being newlineprocessed, by subjecting it to a high magnitude of plastic strain. Studies show newlinethat such strengthening of AA6061 alloys is a combined influence of the grain newlinerefinement of the primary matrix as well as redistribution of secondary newlineeutectic phase. newline