A study on the properties of welding-line in aluminum extrusion process

This study is performed to evaluate the properties of welding-line on the Al6063-T6 porthole extrusion for the various reduction in area. The K-value can be used to determine whether the welding is well established on the extrusion. The K-value has been calculated using the results of the simulation. For the comparison, the extrusion is made with the porthole die, which is used to extrude hollow rectangle aluminum profile. After the extrusion experiment was performed, the die was repeatedly machined to decrease the reduction in area. Rectangle profiles with eight different thicknesses were extruded and the properties of welding-line were evaluated by tensile and impact test. Based on the results of the tests and the calculations, the improved mechanical properties could be obtained above a specific K-value.