The Paton Welding Journal, 2003, №10

2003 №10 (17)

2003 №10 (19)

---

The Paton Welding Journal, 2003, #10-11, 122-126 pages

Failure of welded aluminium tubes

K.J. Miller

University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK

Abstract
A failure investigation concerning 6061-T6 aluminium tubes as produced by an extrusion process, required an extensive and detailed study. This involved ten aspects, namely the manufacturing process; 3D finite element stress analysis; microstructural fracture mechanics; metallurgical considerations; international codes and specifications; residual stresses; Raman spectra analyses; environmental factors an extremely long-life fatigue failure assessment; and recommendations as to how to avoid future failures. Obviously the investigation required a multi- and inter-disciplinary approach. At the start of the study the opinions of several experts were sought. At the termination of the investigation successful recommendations were made to the manufacturers that avoided future failures. The brief case history presented in this paper is a useful exercise for students of microstructural fracture mechanics and fatigue failure analyses
Keywords: microstructural fracture mechanics, residual stresses, peripheral coarse grains, port-hole extrusions and fa¬tigue failure analyses

---

Suggested Citation

K.J. Miller (2003) Failure of welded aluminium tubes. The Paton Welding J., 10, 122-126.

---