Laser Welding of Aluminum Alloy Plate, Extrusion and Casting

This paper studies the influence of welding parameters on the mechanical properties of butt joints, using aluminum plates, extrusion and casting by CO₂ laser.

As a result of this study, good welds have been obtained by optimum power output of laser and welding speed for each material. It also shows that the feeding of filler metal can improve joint efficiency and can perform tensile failure position away from weld metal and can extend the tolerance of root gap for butt joints. These technique lead to improve joint strength of laser welds as strong as that of arc welds. Also bending property and fatigue strength are equal to that of other conventional welds.

This investigation confirms that laser welding for joining of aluminum alloys can be used, and that the techniques in this study will be able to be applied for automobile structures.