Abstract
The nitrogen contents of aluminum weld metal made in Ar-N2 mixed gas atmospheres were determind. The soundness, depth of penetration and mechanical properties of the weld metal were evaluated to investigate the possibility of argon-nitrogen-gas metal-arc welding of aluminum. The important conclusions are as follows:
1) Aluminum weld metal absorb a large quantity of nitrogen in the atmosphere containing nitrogen.
2) Nitrogen additions below about 80% do not appear to increase the porosity of aluminum weld metal at low current levels.
3) Nitrogen added to the shielding inert gas increases the depth of penetration.
4) Nitrogen additions up to about 80% increase slightly the tensile strength of aluminum weld metal without a substantial loss in ductility.
5) The argon-nitrogen-gas metal-arc welding process will be able to be used for limited applications.
