Impact welding of aluminum alloys 6061 and 5052 by vaporizing foil actuators: Heat-affected zone size and peel strength

Abstract

Joining aluminum alloy sheets is increasingly important in manufacturing. Traditional welding techniques create a heat-affected zone (HAZ) around the joint; however, solid-state joining methods such as impact welding produce joints without significant heat. Here, electrically vaporized foil actuators (VFA) provided the high-pressure pulses needed for impact welding. 0.96 mm thick AA6061-T6 and 0.76 mm thick AA5052 were joined in lap and spotlike configurations, at a variety of impact velocities. The welds failed in coach-peel outside the joint interface. The 5052 hardened within 100 1/4m of the interface. The 6061-T6 may have softened slightly within 50 1/4m of the interface.