Welding room development for simultaneous improvement of welder health and weld quality of gas metals arc welded aluminum AA5083-H112

Abstract

This study investigated the weld joint mechanical properties and welding fume exposure associated with Gas Metal Arc Welding of aluminum AA5083-H112 in 27 different welding room environment conditions. These conditions consist of variation in temperature, as well as intake and exhaust wind velocities. The temperature varies as 19 °C, 27 °C and 35 °C. Both the intake and exhaust velocity vary as 0 m/s, 3.1 m/s and 5.5 m/s. The experimental findings underscore the pronounced influence of these factors on both weld quality and welder exposure to fumes. Notably, intake wind velocity emerges as the most critical factor, contributing significantly to 47.68 % in weld joint tensile strength. The temperature emerges as the least critical factor with 12.02 % of contribution. However, temperature became the most critical factor on weld joint impact energy with 54.89 % of contribution while exhaust wind velocity became the least with 3.89 %. Air quality monitoring highlights the importance of optimal intake and exhaust fan configuration to effectively reduce fume exposure. All examined welding room environment condition are deemed safe for the welder, as they do not exceed the Treshold Limit Value (TLV), except the condition where the welding room lacks of air circulation in intake and exhaust wind velocity of 0 m/s. The identified optimal welding room condition exerts a temperature of 27 °C, intake and exhaust wind velocity of 0 m/s and 3.1 m/s respectively. This condition not only achieves established weld quality standards but also ensures compliance with fume exposure regulation. This research provides valuable insights for optimizing welding room environment to simultaneously maintain weld quality and safeguard the well-being of welders