Manipulating heat density to enhance the performance of Aluminium Alloy-Steel joints using arc oscillations in the GTAW process

Abstract The present study shows the effect of arc oscillations in improving the mechanical properties of Steel/Aluminium lap joints in the GTAW process. Arc oscillations produce the weaving pattern to manipulate the heat energy density on the base metal. Fe-Al joints were prepared with different heat inputs by varying the welding current and welding speed. The thermal profile and the intermetallic compound layer results indicate the decrease in heat energy density with arc oscillations. Further, the mechanical properties of the joints were compared with no weaving condition and found the enhancement in aesthetics, microhardness, and failure strength of the Fe-Al joints with arc oscillations.