Welding of aluminum powder alloy products
AssigneeAllied-Signal Inc.
InventorPaul S. Gilman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A TIG weld produced from a rapidly solidified dispersion strengthened aluminum base alloy exhibits attributes of the alloy's microstructure extant prior to formation of the weld. TIG welding power is adjusted to minimize energy input into the weld. An arc gas contacts the weld to maximize rapid quenching thereof, while a second gas contacts the undersurface of the weld so that the undersurface of the weld is quenched. Cooling of the weld is further enhanced by a trailing gas selected from the group consisting of argon, nitrogen, helium, carbon dioxide and mixtures thereof.
Claims17
A process for producing a weld by TIG welding a dispersion strengthened aluminum base alloy comprising the steps of:
- a. adjusting TIG welding power to minimize energy input into the weld;
- b. contacting said weld with an arc gas composition to maximize rapid quenching of the weld;
- c. contacting said weld with a second gas, the contact being predominantly at the undersurface of said weld, so that the undersurface of the weld is quenched;
- and
- d. contacting said weld with a trailing gas to enhance cooling of the weld beyond that achieved by said arc gas and said second gas.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.