Product Code: ICA13_1803

Effect of Process Parameters on the Weld Quality in Laser Welding of Az31B Magnesium Alloy in Lap Joint Configuration
Authors:
Masoud Harooni, Southern Methodist University-RCAM; Dallas TX USA
Radovan Kovacevic, Southern Methodist University; Dallas TX
Blair Carlson, GM Research Center; Warren MI
Presented at ICALEO 2013

Magnesium is the lightest structural metal; therefore, it has been used in different industries such as automotive, aerospace, electronics and defense. Among different joining processes, laser welding is highly efficient due to its low heat input, high depth-to-width ratio and good mechanical properties. A fiber laser is used to weld AZ31B magnesium alloy in a lap joint configuration. Hardness and tensile tests are carried out in order to reveal the mechanical properties of the weld bead. The effects of process parameters such as laser power and welding speed, on the pore formation and maximum shear load of the weld bead are studied. Finally, three regression models including linear, curvilinear and multiple nonlinear are compared in order to determine their accuracy in prediction of the weld bead geometry. The results show that linear model has achieved better accuracy.