Electron Beam Welding of 2099-T83 Aluminium-lithium Alloy Thick Plates

Abstract

The paper deals with the welding of AW 2099-T83 aluminium lithium alloy being used for construction of lower wing stringers. The thickness of AW 2099-T83 aluminium lithium alloy was 25.4 mm. Electron beam welding with the accelerating voltage of 55 kV was used for production of welded joints. Welded joints were inspected by computer tomography, macroscopic and microscopic analysis, tensile strength test and microhardness measurement. Welded joints exhibited good weld joint formation, typical to electron beam welding. Weld metal was structure was dendritic formed by α solid solution. Decrease of microhardness was observed mainly in the centre of weld metal due to dissolution of precipitates. The fracture occurred in the weld metal during tensile strength test. Further research will focus on post-heat treatment of welded joints in order to improve mechanical properties of weld metal.

Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) for Aluminum-Lithium Alloys: A Review

“…Despite these problems, it is known that there are already some alloys with lithium contents close to the maximum cracking point that are used for welding, such as 2099-T83. Al-Li alloy is being used for the construction of lower-wing stringers by welding processes [ 102 ]. However, at present, the knowledge base related to the weldability of Al-Li alloys is still limited.…”

Influence of Electron Beam Technological Movements on Aluminium Alloy AW2099 Welded Joints Properties

“…Using an electron beam oscillation along a selected trajectory determines the dynamic beam power distribution around its base axis. This beam power distribution is widely used for welding and also for soldering or brazing of many types of materials or their combinations [2].…”