Enhancing tensile properties of pulsed CMT–MIG welded high strength AA2014-T6 alloy joints: Effect of post weld heat treatment

The main objective of this investigation is to study the effect of post weld heat treatments (PWHTs) on tensile properties, hardness, and microstructure of pulsed CMT–MIG (cold metal transfer arc–metal inert gas) welded AA20214-T6 aluminum alloy joints. The welded joints were subjected to PWHT of artificial aging (AA), solution annealing treatment (ST) and ST + aging (STA). The tensile properties and microhardness of joints were evaluated. The microstructure of joints was studied using optical microscope (OM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The fractured surface of tensile specimens was analyzed using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Results showed that the tensile properties and hardness of as welded and PWHT joints are inferior compared to base metal (BM). This mainly refers to the microstructural heterogeneity in different regions of joints and softening of heat affected zone (HAZ) induced by the weld thermal cycle. The PWHTs of AA and ST did not show significant effect on tensile strength and hardness of AW joints. However, the slight reduction in elongation was observed in AA and ST joints. The STA joints showed higher joint efficiency of 71.6%, than other joints by compromising on the elongation. This refers to the greater precipitation of hardening precipitates in STA joints compared to AA and ST joints. It exhibited the higher tensile and yield strength of 326 MPa and 266 MPa and the lowest elongation of 3.8%. The STA joints showed 28.35%, 38.28% and 57.77% reduction in tensile strength, yield strength and elongation compared to BM respectively. All the tensile specimens of joints failed in HAZ owing to the lower hardness. This refers to dissolution of precipitates in HAZ. However, the HAZ softening is less severe in STA joints than AW, AA, and ST joints.