Effect of Laser Welding Process Parameters and Filler Metals on the Weldability and the Mechanical Properties of AA7020 Aluminium Alloy

This research work aims at finding the optimum process parameters for the laser welding of AA7020 aluminium alloys. The use of 7xxx series alloys is limited because of weldability problems, such as hot cracking, porosity, and softening of the fusion zone despite its higher specific strength-to-weigh...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing 2018-06, Vol.2 (2), p.33
Main Authors: Adisa, Saheed, Loginova, Irina, Khalil, Asmaa, Solonin, Alexey
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alloys
Aluminium alloys
Aluminum alloys
Aluminum base alloys
Automobile industry
filler materials
Flow velocity
Friction stir welding
Gas flow
Laser beam welding
Lasers
Mechanical properties
Metals
Microstructure
Optimization
Porosity
Process parameters
Roads & highways
Strength to weight ratio
Ultimate tensile strength
Weldability
Welding parameters
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Summary:This research work aims at finding the optimum process parameters for the laser welding of AA7020 aluminium alloys. The use of 7xxx series alloys is limited because of weldability problems, such as hot cracking, porosity, and softening of the fusion zone despite its higher specific strength-to-weight ratio. AA7020 aluminium alloy was welded while varying the process parameters so as to obtain optimal welding efficiency. The welded samples were analysed to reveal the microstructure, defects, and mechanical properties of the welded zone. The samples were prepared from a plate of AA7020, which was hot rolled at a temperature of 470 °С to a thickness of 1 mm. The welding was carried out at an overlap of 0.25 mm, duration of 14 ms and argon shield gas flow rate of 15 L/min. Process parameters, such as peak power, welding speed, and pulse shaping, were varied. The samples were welded with Al-5Ti-B and Al-5Mg as filler metals. The welding speed, peak power, and pulse shaping have a great influence on the weldability and hot cracking susceptibility of the aluminium alloy. Al-5Ti-B improves the microstructure and ultimate tensile strength of AA7020 aluminium alloy.
ISSN:2504-4494
2504-4494
DOI:10.3390/jmmp2020033