Welding failure of as-fabricated component of aluminum alloy 5052

This paper describes the failure analysis of the “tray section” made up of aluminum alloy 5052 which is used as a specimen holder in a research reactor. Fracture was observed in the central rod of alloy 5052 before it was taken for service. The fracture had occurred in a brittle mode without any gross plastic deformation at a location where the rod was welded to the stopper plate. Detailed microstructural examination was done using both optical and scanning electron microscopy. The weld fusion zone showed presence of high porosity and eutectic phases mainly along the inter-dendritic regions. These low melting temperature eutectics were rich in Si and Fe and led to weld cracking along the dendritic grains during solidification of the welds. Solidification cracking of alloy 5052 was related to pure aluminum filler wire used for welding that shifted the composition of the welds towards peak cracking sensitivity of 1.5 wt% Mg. The failure of the tray section was concluded to be due to welding defects, e.g. high porosity and solidification cracks. Recommendations to avoid this type of failure are also proposed.