Study on the Performance of Laser Welded Joint of Aluminum Alloys for Car Body

Considering the fuel consumption of car, a light structure of aluminum alloys is desired fer car body nowadays. However, fusion welding of aluminum alloys has some problems of reduction of joint efficiency, porosity formation and hot cracking. In the present work, investigation to improve the joint performance of laser welded joint has been carried out by addition of Cu, Ni, and Zr to A6NO 1 alloy welds. Aluminum alloy plate of 2.Omm in thickness with filler metal bar was welded by twin beam Nd: YAG laser facility (total power: 5kW). The filler metals were prepared by changing the chemical compositions for adding the elements into the weld metal. Thirteen filler metal bars were prepared and pre-placed into the base metal before welding. Ar gas shielding with a flow rate of 10 1/min was used. The defocusing distance is kept at 0 mm. At travel speeds off 3 to 9 and at laser power of 5kW (front beam 2kW rear beam 3kW), full penetration welds were obtained, whereas at travel speeds of 12 to 18 m/min and same power, partial penetration was observed. The joint efficiency of laser-welded joint was improved by the addition of Cu, Ni, and Zr due to the solid solution hardening, grain refining and precipitation hardening. The type of hardening has been further considered by metallurgical examination.