An investigation is reported on the characteristics of porosity formation in high power disk laser welding of AC-170PX (AA6014) alloy sheets (coated with titanium and zirconium) in two weld joint configurations: fillet edge and flange couch with AA4043 filler wire for potential automotive manufacturing applications. Porosity, macro- and microstructure characteristics, tensile strengths, microhardness, and joint geometry were investigated. It has been found that an increase in heat input and welding speed generates more porosity in both types of joints. The introduction of a 0.2 mm gap reduces porosity significantly in the fillet edge joints but it does not have noticeable effect on the flange couch joints. The mechanism of the porosity formation is discussed.
Issue Section:
Research Papers
Keywords:
laser welding,
fillet edge joint,
flange couch joint,
aluminum alloy,
porosity,
joint geometry,
car,
automotive
Topics:
Flanges,
Laser welding,
Porosity,
Welding,
Aluminum alloys,
Microhardness,
Aluminum,
Heat,
Lasers
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