Investigation of microstructure and mechanical properties of GTAW and GMAW joints on AA7075 aluminum alloy

Aluminum and its alloys have been used extensively due to their light weight, moderate strength and good corrosion resistance. Aluminium alloy 7075 has been researched upon especially as a potential candidate for aircraft material. This alloy is difficult to weld using conventional welding techniques like GMAW and GTAW. An attempt has been made in this investigation to weld 7075 alloy using GTAW and GMAW with argon as a shielding gas. Mechanical properties of the joint like tensile strength, Hardness and impact strength have been tested and reported. Microstructural characterization has been done using standard metallography. SEM micrographs have also been taken to study the fracture characteristics.