Fusion zone grain refinement in aluminum alloy welds through magnetic arc oscillation and its effect on tensile behavior

Grain size reduction in weld fusion zones confers the advantages of an incr eased resistance to solidification cracking and an improvement in mechanica l properties. Oscillation of the welding are through an imposed alternating magnetic field is one of several approaches to modify weld solidification structures. In this study, gas tungsten are welds were produced in two high strength, age hardenable aluminum alloys with and without an external magn etic field. Metallographic characterization revealed the degree of structur al refinement produced by magnetic are oscillation. The decrease in grain s ize was found to increase tensile elongation, while the effect on strength and age hardening response was only meager. The improvement in ductility wa s partially maintained in the peak aged condition also.