Study of Corrosion, Structural, and Mechanical Properties of EN AW-6082 and EN AW-7075 Welded Joints

The purpose of the work was to test the welded joints of aluminum alloys EN AW-7075 and EN AW-6082, which are used to join individual structural elements of car bodies, e.g., B-pillar with the body. The joints were made using the low-energy cold metal transfer (CMT) arc welding method. The results of the structure investigations of lap and butt joints, as well as tests of mechanical properties are presented. The influence of linear energy and the way of arranging materials in lap joints on the possibility of hot cracks occurrence has been demonstrated. The shear strength of lap joints was equal to 150 MPa, while the tensile strength of butt joints was equal to 375 MPa. The highest hardness reduction was observed in the heat affected zone (HAZ) from the EN AW-7075 alloy side in the range of 98 to 138 HV 0.05. In addition, a significant reduction of the corrosion resistance in the transition zone between HAZ and the base material (EN AW-7075 alloy) in the medium salinity environment, corresponding to the sea conditions according to ASTM G85 was indicated.