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Aluminum Q&A: Why Guided Bend Tests Fail and How to Fix Them

Q: I have been conducting welding procedure qualification tests in accordance with AWS D1.2, Structural Welding Code — Aluminum. I am welding 6061-T6 base metal with ER4043 filler metal. The problem I am experiencing is the failure of the guided bend tests. I am performing two root bends and two face bends, as required by the code. My two tension tests from the same test plate are passing the reduced section tension test.