Advancement in welding of 7075

[whimsnag]

A research group found a way to weld 7075 aluminum alloy: rod contains titanium carbide nanoparticles.

Press release below:
https://samueli.ucla.edu/nanotechno...o-weld-previously-un-weldable-aluminum-alloy/

Paper:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-07989-y

Now just have to wait a decade or so for the rods to be available at your local welding supply shop...

 

[markba633csi]

Interesting!

 

[pontiac428]

Game changer!

 

[cjtoombs]

Probably not a game changer. 7075 is usually used in applications where it's high strength is needed and welded aluminum is not as strong as unwelded, so probably won't make a huge difference for most applications. Would be helpful for molds, but they already weld those, they just let them crack. I can't see an aircraft flight certification authority allowing this without a mountain of data. Castings (of any metal) are usually a non starter on some aircraft just because of the strength hit you take from the variability of the casting process.