Study on the Dimensional Stability of Aluminum Alloy Welded Joint under Space Thermal Cycling Conditions

Abstract

Experimental and numerical investigation on the dimensional stability of aluminum alloy welded joint in thermal cycling conditions are presented. Accumulated deformation have been found during the tests. Analytical results demonstrated that the dimensional instability of the welded joint under thermal cycling is governed by the internal plastic flow rather than creep mechanisms. A finite element unit cell model is used to predict the behaviors of dimensional instability.