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Posted by Ernie Leimkuhler on March 5, 2008, 3:07 am
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> >
> >> Although I do know the correct way to weld 6061 alum. to get max
> >> strength,
> >> does anyone know the best "cheat" method of welding it to retain the most
> >> strength? 6061-T6 is approx 45K tensile. After welding, the area around
> >> the
> >> weld is approx 15K tensile or 1/3 of it's original strength. Would one
> >> weld,
> >> then cool slowly or quench in water quickly? Possibly short quick beads
> >> to
> >> minimize heat affected zone? I have a lot of 6061 T6 on hand, and I'm
> >> looking to get the least softening at the weld area as possible. The very
> >> best procedure I know is to buy 6061 T0, weld, then heat treat to T6. So,
> >> what's a good "second best method"?
> >> Dixon
> >
> > Just wait.
> > Yes the heat affected zone will drop in hardness from T6 to around T2
> > after the weld, but if you just wait a few weeks it will eventually
> > regain most of it's hardness through precipitation hardening.
> > The most it can achieve by natural age hardening is a T5.
> > The only way to regain T6 is through re-heat-treating the aluminum.
>
> Ernie, I used to work in an aircraft materials testing lab and have pulled
> thousands of tensile specimens. The idea of the alum gaining most of it's
> strength back at room temp has raised my eyebrows. If I still had use of the
> tensile machine, I would love to machine some test bars from welded alum.
> and test them over a period of weeks to see the results for myself. Because
> of your high credibility on this site, I'll consider your reply highly
> possible, but I'd really like to put this one to the test.
> Dixon
OK after a little googling it gets much more complicated.
Here is a very detailed list of aluminum temper designations.
http://www.engineersedge.com/aluminum_tempers.htm
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