Various tests have been proposed to assess solidification cracking susceptibility. A new solidification cracking test, called the stationary weld pool deformation test, is introduced in the present study. The test employs a stationary weld pool during testing, and it is conducted by joining two square small workpiece with spot gas tungsten arc welding and moving one piece away from the other one to cause cracking. The test has been applied on aluminium alloys 2024, 5083, 6061 and 7075, and the susceptibility of them was found consistent with literature. The fracture surface of some of these aluminium alloys were examined, and typical characteristics of solidification cracks were seen. Advantages and disadvantages of the test method were discussed.
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