Aluminium alloys welding with high-power Nd:YAG lasers

Abstract

Aluminium alloys have good mechanical properties (high strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance) and good workability. Their applications are growing up, specially in the transportation industry. Weldability is however poorer than in other materials; recent advances in high power YAG lasers are the key to obtain good appearance welds and higher penetration, at industrial production rates. Results of the combination of high power YAG beams with small fiber diameters and specific filler wires are presented. It is also characterized the airborne particulated material, by-product of the laser process: emission rates, size distribution and chemical composition are given for several aluminium alloys.