Effect of Asymmetric Material Flow on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of 5A06 Al-Alloy Welded Joint by VPPA Welding

The microstructure, texture, and mechanical properties of the asymmetric welded joint in variable polarity plasma arc (VPPA) welding were studied discussed this paper. was obtained through horizontal welding, where effect gravity caused material flow. results showed that grain size low angle boundary (LAGB) at both sides asymmetric; differed by a factor 1.3. average Base Metal (BM), Lower-weld zone (WZ) Upper-WZ 25.73 ± 1.25, 37.87 1.89 49.92 2.49 µm, respectively. There is discrepancy between main textures joint. However, metal flow on weld texture not significant. micro-hardness distribution inhomogeneous, lowest hardness observed regions with larger sizes smaller boundary. During tensile strength tests, specimens fractured position although it has reached 89.2% BM. Furthermore, underlying causes VPPA have been analyzed.