The Paton Welding Journal, 2021, #5, 41-45 pages
Analysis of the properties of electron beam welded joints of aluminium lithium alloy latest generation
Mir. Sahul1, Mar. Sahul2, L. Čaplovič2, M. Marônek1, I. Klochkov3 and S. Motrunich3
1Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Faculty of Materials Science and Technology in Trnava,
Department of Welding and Joining of Materials
J. Bottu 25, 917 24 Trnava, Slovakia. E-mail: miroslav.sahul@stuba.sk
2Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Faculty of Materials Science and Technology in Trnava,
Institute of Materials Science
J. Bottu 25, 917 24, Trnava, Slovakia
3E.O. Paton Electric Welding Institute of the NASU.
11 Kazymyr Malevych Str., 03150, Kyiv, Ukraine. E-mail: office@paton.kiev.ua
Abstract
Electron beam welded joints made on AW2099 aluminium lithium alloy with the thickness of 4 mm were analysed.
The third generation of aluminium lithium alloys was developed to improve the drawbacks of the second one. Various
electron beam welding parameters (beam current, welding speed) were tested. Accelerating voltage was constant, i.e.,
55 kV. Defect free welded joints were produced under optimized welding parameters. Weld metal microstructure and
welded joints mechanical properties were investigated. Microstructure of weld metal matrix consists of α-aluminium
solid solution. Inter-dendrite areas were enriched in alloying elements due to segregation. Narrow equiaxed zone was
observed at the location close to the fusion boundary being characteristic for welded joints made on aluminium lithium
alloys. The character of the grains changed in the direction towards weld metal centre to columnar dendritic and equiaxed
dendritic. Microhardness values reduction in the weld metal was observed which is associated to the dissolution
of strengthening precipitates. 19 Ref., 1 Table, 9 Figures.
Keywords: AW2099 aluminium lithium alloy, electron beam welding, equiaxed zone, scanning electron microscopy,
drop of microhardness
Received 22.03.2021
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Suggested Citation
Mir. Sahul, Mar. Sahul, L. Čaplovič, M. Marônek, I. Klochkov and S. Motrunich (2021) Analysis of the properties of electron beam welded joints of aluminium lithium alloy latest generation.
The Paton Welding J., 05, 41-45.