The weldability of magnesium alloys, AZ13, AZ31, AZ61 and AZ91 alloys were investigated using 2.4kW CO2 laser facility. The wrought magnesium alloy welds had very low possibility of porosity formation. However, the cast magnesium alloy welds have showed small amount of porosities. The effect of welding speed on amount of porosity of weld metal and gas-chromatography analysis of porosity gases were investigated to recognize which type of porosity was formed. The experimental results have suggested that “B”-type porosity could be formed easily by hydrogen and metal vapor.

In general, the process of porosity formation by hydrogen in welding may be considered as four stages including (1) Introduction of hydrogen into molten pool, (2) bubble formation by hydrogen, (3) the growth of bubbles in molten metal and (4) capture of bubbles in solidified weld metal[1-4].

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