The Welding of Aluminium and its Alloys

The Welding of Aluminium and its Alloys

Gene MathersWoodhead Publishing2002236 pp.ISBN 1-85573-567-9£95.00 (hardback)

Keywords: Welding, Aluminium

This book provides a clear analysis of the metallurgical principles for the welding of aluminium and its alloys. It is a practical guide which has avoided the use of mathematics to describe the effects of welding.

Chapter 1, an Introduction to the Welding of Aluminium, describes the characteristics of aluminium, its product forms (wrought and cast), and common welding definitions. Strengthening mechanisms, aluminium weldability problems,and strength loss due to welding, are addressed in chapter 2, Welding Metallurgy. Material Standards, Designations and Alloys are discussed in chapter 3 and introduce designation criteria, alloying elements, the CEN designation system, specific alloy metallurgy and filler metal selection.

The following two chapters address Preparation for Welding, and Welding Design, respectively. Subjects discussed include storage and handling, cutting techniques, cleaning and degreasing, welding speed, edge preparation and joint design, and fatigue strength of welded joints.

Chapters 6-9 introduce different welding techniques. These include TIG and MIG welding, plasma-arc welding, laser welding, electron beam welding, and resistance welding. Welding Procedures and Welding Approval are discussed in chapter 10. The final chapter of the book addresses Welding Defects and Quality Control, and describes common defects in arc welding and a range of non-destruction testing methods. Four appendices are included providing information about British and ISO standards related to welding and aluminium,physical, mechanical and chemical properties at 20°C, principal alloy designations for cast products, and alloy designations for wrought products.

Overall, “The Welding of Aluminium and its Alloys” is a superbly written text book containing illustrations which are clear and relevant to the text. It is suitable for those new to aluminium welding, as well as students of mechanical engineering and materials science course, welding and production engineers, design engineers and production managers.