Influence of gas tungsten arc welding parameters on the formability of aluminum tailor welded blanks

Welding method and its parameters has an important effect on the formability and mechanical properties of tailor welded blanks(TWBs). In this study gas tungsten arc welding(GTAW) is used to joint aluminum TWBs. Aluminum TWBs consist of 6061 aluminum sheets with different thickness of 1mm and 2mm. Main parameters of GTAW consist of welding current, pressure of shielding gas, welding speed and diameter of filler material are investigated. Design of experiment based on the Tauguchi method is used to investigate the effect of each parameter and also parameters interaction. Erichsen formability test which is an out-of-plane forming test is used for formability investigation of aluminum TWBs. Forming height of Erichsen test is used as a criterion to study the effect of GTAW parameters on the quality of aluminum TWBs. Results of present study shows that shielding gas pressure and welding speed have the greatest impact on the formability of aluminum TWBs.