Weldability of Al 6061/SiCp Metal Matrix Composite Using GTAW Process

Al 6061 metal matrix composites with SiCp are increasingly becoming popular in automobile, aerospace and electronics industries, in view of their excellent mechanical properties and wear resistance. However, the welding characteristics of these alloys have not been studied in detail. In the present work, fusion weldability of forged Al 6061 +20% by weight SiCp metal matrix composite has been studied using TIG welding process with 4043 filler wire. Transverse tensile properties and microstructural characteristics of the weld joint were analyzed. The weld joint efficiency of the MMC was found to be 49% of the base metal. The weld joint with higher currents more than 140A indicated proneness to crack through the fusion line. The microstructure analysis of the weld zone indicated that the cohesion between SiC and matrix was excellent and there was no debonding due to weld thermal cycle.