Double-Pulse Triple-Wire MIG Welding of 6082-T6 Aluminum Alloy: Process Characteristics and Joint Performances

Abstract

High-efficiency and high-quality welding has always been the focus of welding research. This article proposes a novel double-pulse, triple-wire MIG welding process for the welding of 6082-T6 aluminum alloy. The process characteristics of welding arc and droplet transfer were studied, and the performances of weld formation, morphology, hardness, and tensile strength were tested for the 1 Hz, 3 Hz, and 5 Hz double-pulse welding and normal-pulse welding. It was found that in the welding process, the pulsed arc steadily alternated among three welding wires without arc interruption, and the arc length changed periodically with the double-pulse frequency. The droplets transferred with a stable one-pulse-one-drop mode. Besides, a proper double-pulse frequency, e.g., 3 Hz in this case, was conducive to forming good welds with regular fish-scale patterns and no pores. The tensile strength of the joint could reach 64% of the base material’s tensile strength, and its fracture belonged to plastic fracture, which occurred in the HAZ. This new welding method will have great potential in aluminum alloy welding.