Product Code: JLA_18_4_289

Authors:
N. Abe
M. Tsukamoto
Joining and Welding Research Institute, Osaka University, 11-1, Mihogaoka, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0047, Japan

K. Maeda
K. Namba
Research and Development Center, Sumitomo Light Metal Industries, Ltd., 3-1-12 Chitose, Minato-ku, Nagoya 455-8670, Japan

J. Morimoto
School of Science and Engineering, Kinki University, 3-4-1, Kowakae, Higashiosaka, Osaka 577-8502, Japan

Aluminum alloys are the focus of increasing attention from the automobile industry because of their light weight, high formability, and easy recyclability. In this report, a 4 kW high power direct diode laser was used to examine the weldability of aluminum alloys of AA5022 and AA6016. A heat conduction welding type bead shape was produced with a very smooth bead surface. Full penetration butt welding was possible up to a welding speed of 12 m/min for 1 mm thick AA5022 and 6 m/min for 1 mm thick AA6016. Welding phenomena were observed with a high speed video camera. Very quiet welding phenomena were observed, with no spattering or laser plasma formation.