TWI Industrial Member Report Summary 374/1988
Q Guan, R H Leggatt and K W Brown
Scope
This research report presents the results of a project on a new technique for low stress nondistortion (LSND) welding for thin-walled structural elements and further development to demonstrate industrial potential.
Experiments were carried out on 5083 aluminium alloy of thicknesses 0.71, 1.62 and 3.25mm and 18-8 stainless steel of thicknesses 1.00, 1.62 and 3.25mm. Comparisons between conventional welding and LSND welding were given in terms of measurements of deflections (buckling), as well as levels and distributions of residual stresses in the specimens tested. The specimens were welded in one or two passes using the TIG process. Low stress non-distortion welding can also be used with MMA, plasma, MIG, oxyacetylene, laser and electron beam processes.
Specific features of the LSND welding technique are described and the practical options to achieve LSND results are explained in detail.
The results of this study will be used in further exploitation to meet potential user requirements and the basic principles discussed will be used for future development of LSND welding techniques for particular industrial applications.