• Laser Solutions
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.29-38
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• 2001

This work was carried out to investigate the welding behavior of thin A3003 Al alloy sheets by Nd : YAG laser beam. Considering bead shape and mechanical properties, the laser pulse shapes selected were two kinds of 2-division and 3-division by varying power level and pulse duration. In order to obtain optimum conditions, the factorial design method and central composite design method were applied. Tensile test, optical microscopy, micro hardness test and TEM analysis were performed. Due to the annealing caused by thermal effect during laser welding, precipitates were coarsended. The HAZ was softened and failed during tensile test. The hardness of HAZ was lower than that of base metal, since the heat input relieved the work hardening effect and caused grain growth.