Improvement of welding quality and productivity of aluminum alloy using GMAW and GTAW Hybrid welding process

The welding of aluminum presents some unique challenges, including an oxide layer and the need for very clean base metal before welding. The cleaning action with arc welding process is attributed to the removal process of oxide layer caused by cathode spots. This research, gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) will be used to investigate influence of alternative current waveforms and shielding gas composition on the cathode spots behaviors. The cathode spots will be photographed by a high-speed video camera. The cathode spots distribution and velocity are being discussed on the highest cleaning potential. Also furthermore, gas metal arc welding (GMAW) process will be combined with gas tungsten arc welding process as a hybrid welding process to improve welding productivity with high quality welding. The high performance oxide cleaning action conditions of GTAW will be selected to weld leading GMAW torch. The results from this research can create the high welding quality of welded bead with high productivity.