Effects of Al-Mg wire replacing Al-Cu wire on the properties of 2219 aluminum alloy TIG-welded joint

Abstract

The effects of Al–Mg wire replacing Al–Cu wire on the microstructure, microhardness and tensile properties of 2219 aluminum alloy tungsten inert gas (TIG)-welded joints were studied. Comparing joints with Al–Cu wire, the capping welds of joints with Al–Mg wire can be strengthened by the introduction of Mg-containing strengthening phase and the hardness can be significantly improved. However, for joints with Al–Mg wire, both the solidification cracks caused by inappropriate control of alloying element content and the continuous brittle phases at grain boundaries around the weld zone (WZ) can result in the reduced tensile properties. The crack-free weld can be obtained by adjusting the alloying system of WZ. Furthermore, the geometry of WZ also affected the tensile properties of joints with Al–Mg wire.