Microstructure and mechanical properties of ADC12/6063-T6 aluminum alloy butt joint achieved by metal inert gas groove welding

Metal inert gas arc welding process was implemented to join 6063T6 wrought alloy and ADC12 die-casting alloy using ER4047 filler metal. The microstructure of the weld seam and weld interface was investigated. The bonding strength of the butt joints was tested by Charpy U-notch impact test and tensile test. The results showed that a sound welding butt joint with finely silicon particles and excellent mechanical properties was formed, and the size of the silicon particles was nearly 2 μm. Compared with 6063T6 wrought alloy, the impact absorbing energies and the tensile strengths of the butt joint were higher and reached 1.173 kJ/cm2 and 205 MPa, respectively, and the fractures of all tensile specimens occur at the 6063T6 aluminum.