Mechanical behavior of gas metal arc AA6082-T6 weldments

A series of experiments have been conducted to determine the mechanical properties of AA6082-T6 plates which have been joined by means of the Gas Metal Arc technique. Hardness Vickers tests, bending tests, tensile tests, fatigue tests and Charpy V-notch tests have been carried out to characterize the joints. In addition, an accurate microstructure analysis of selected fracture surfaces has been done. From the tests it is concluded that HAZ softening brings to a reduction in strength with respect to the parent material. It has been noticed that there is a minimum value of hardness in the heat affected zone, that corresponds to the weakest part of the component. From the Charpy V-notch impact tests it has been observed that the material in the HAZ has the highest energy absorption capacity