Shielding gas influence on AA5086 welded joints: residual stresses analysis, microstructural characterisation and mechanical properties

Samples of AA5086 aluminium alloy were welded by gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) with alternating current using three different shielding gases. The samples were welded with pure argon (Ar), a mixture of argon and helium (Ar + He) and a new mixture composed of argon, nitrous oxide and oxygen (Ar + N 2 O + O 2 ). The effect of the shielding gas on the residual stresses and on the mechanical and microstructural properties of the welded joints was evaluated and compared with the base metal. The new gas mixture produced compressive residual stresses in the longitudinal and transverse directions in the weld metal. Tensile test of welded joints indicated similar values for yield strength and ultimate tensile strength; however, these values were lower compared to the base metal. The new gas mixture provided a welded joint with hardness values in the weld metal and heat-affected zone close to the base metal values and with greater magnitude compared to samples welded using pure argon and mixture of argon and helium. Microstructural characterisation performed by optical and scanning electron microscopy showed that the new mixture produced welded joints with lower porosity.