ABSTRACT

The aim of this project was to study the effect of pulsing (pulsed TIG GTAW) on bead qualities (height, width, penetration), mechanical properties and metallurgical properties of 15CDV6 alloy weldments to see if some advantage could be gained by using pulsed GTAW technique over conventional process where tubes were welded with Non-Pulsed GTAW. The current study deals with thin tubes (thickness 1.5mm) where high heat dissipation is main issue. Different processes are use for welding thin materials e.g. GMAW, Nonpulsed GTAW but pulsed GTAW has an advantage in minimum bead width over these processes. In this study different experiments were designed, performed and then experimental results pertaining to different welding parameters for the above alloys using pulsed and non-pulsed current GTAW are discussed and compared. Mechanical testing such as hardness profile, bend test and tensile testing of pulsed and non pulsed GTAW weldments were performed and compared. Pulsing results in sufficient improvement in mechanical properties of pulsed GTAW weldments. This study covers comparison of bead properties (bead width, height and penetration) where noticeable reduction (approx half to that of conventional TIG welds) in bead width of pulsed GTAW weldments were observed. This study also includes Macro and micro structures which were determined, studied and compared. More refined microstructure results in improved mechanical properties of pulsed TIG weldments than non pulsed ones.