Aluminum welding comparison with disk and direct diode lasers

Abstract

Around the world, law makers are imposing stringent norms to the automotive industry for higher gas mile-age per gallon and lesser carbon emission. Characteristic properties of Aluminum (Al), i.e., high strength stiffness to weight ratio, good formability, corrosion resistance, and recycling potential make it an ideal candidate to replace heavier materials such as steel in the car responding to the weight reduction demand within the automotive industry.This paper evaluates advantages associated with different laser wavelengths on Aluminum welding. In this work, Aluminum sheets were welded using state-of-the-art disk lasers and direct diode lasers of the product family TruDisk and TruDiode, respectively. Important processes parameters have been investigated, e.g., laser power, feed rate, and focal position. Both process regimes – heat conduction welding and keyhole welding – have been studied. Experimental results were evaluated metallographically.Around the world, law makers are imposing stringent norms to the automotive industry for higher gas mile-age per gallon and lesser carbon emission. Characteristic properties of Aluminum (Al), i.e., high strength stiffness to weight ratio, good formability, corrosion resistance, and recycling potential make it an ideal candidate to replace heavier materials such as steel in the car responding to the weight reduction demand within the automotive industry.This paper evaluates advantages associated with different laser wavelengths on Aluminum welding. In this work, Aluminum sheets were welded using state-of-the-art disk lasers and direct diode lasers of the product family TruDisk and TruDiode, respectively. Important processes parameters have been investigated, e.g., laser power, feed rate, and focal position. Both process regimes – heat conduction welding and keyhole welding – have been studied. Experimental results were evaluated metallographically.