Study of the weld ability of aluminum alloy 5083 H116 with pulsed arc GMAW (GMAW-P)

Abstract

This research was based on the analysis of the weldability of aluminum joints, Alloy GL AW 5083 H116, with filler AWS 5.10 ER 5183 by GMAW-P process to determine the conditions of the heat-affected zone in the base material, depending on the heat input for the GMAW-P process with different pulsed technologies available in Colombia. The variables considered within this study were: welding positions (horizontal, vertical up, and overhead), type of welded joints (butt and fillet), and parameters for welding equipment (voltage, current, speed, power supply, speed development), and protective gas used (Argon, 100%). Non-destructive and destructive testing techniques were used to characterize the discontinuities found and the criteria to accept or reject the AWS D1.2 code (STRUCTURAL WELDING CODE - ALUMINUM by the AMERICAN WELDING SOCIETY). As a result, the investigation yielded the conditions for the application of filler material (ER 5183) on base material (alloy AW5083 GL H116), supported by Welding Procedure Specifications Documents (WPS) and Procedure Qualification Record (PQR) to implement in aluminum welding at the COTECMAR shipyard.