Effect of PWHT on Variability of fatigue Crack Propagation Resitance in TIG Welded Al 6013-T4 Aluminum Alloy

The experimental investigation focuses on an influence of artificial aging time in longitudinal butt welded Al 6013-T4 aluminum alloy on the fatigue crack growth resistance. The preferred welding processes for this alloy are frequently tungsten inert gas welding (TIG) process due to its comparatively easier applicability and better weldability than other gas metal arc welding. Fatigue crack growth tests were carried out on compact tension specimens (CT) in longitudinal butt TIG welded after T82 heat treatment was varied in three artificial aging times of 6 hours, 18 hours and 24 hours. Of the three artificial aging times, 24 hours of artificial aging time are offering better resistance against the growing fatigue cracks. The superior fatigue crack growth resistance preferred spatial variation of materials within each specimen in the Paris equation based on reliability theory and fatigue crack growth rate by crack length are found to be the reasons for superior fatigue resistance of 24 hours of artificial aging time was compared to other joints. The highest of crack propagation resistance occurs in artificial aging times of 24 hours due to the increase in grain size (fine grained microstructures).