EFFECT OF WELDING PROCESS ON MECHANICAL AND MICROSTRUCTURE PROPERTIES OF 5083 ALUMINIUM ALLOY JOINTS USED IN SHIPBUILDING

The present investigation is aimed to study the effect of welding processes such as TIG and MIG on mechanical and microstructure properties of 5083 aluminium alloy. The preferred welding processes of this alloy are frequently tungsten inert gas (TIG) and metal inert gas (MIG) due to their comparatively easier applicability and better economy. In this alloy, the weld fusion zones typically exhibit coarse columnar grains because of the prevailing thermal conditions during weld metal solidification. This often causes inferior weld mechanical properties and poor resistance to hot cracking. Two sets of 5083 aluminium alloy plates which normally used in ship construction have been selected as a sample material. The mechanical testing and microsture examination were performed and the results are compared. From this study it is found that TIG joints of 5083 aluminium alloy showed superior mechanical properties compared to TIG joints.