Nd:YAG laser welding of AZ31 sheet for car industry

Magnesium alloys are becoming important material for light weight car body, due to their low specific density but high specific strength. However they have a poor weldability, caused by high oxidization tendency and low vapour temperature. In this study, the welding performance of magnesium alloy was investigated for automobile application. The material was rolled magnesium alloy sheet contains 3wt%Al, 1wt%Zn and Mg balance. The effects of process variables were investigated on 2kW Nd:YAG laser welding. To evaluate the weldability, we examined the appearance of welding bead. Also we checked bead shape and internal defects such as crack and porosity on cross section of welding bead. The mechanical property was measured for welded specimen by tensile test. For determination of the strength change by welding process, the hardness profile across the welding center was measured. For the results, the mechanical properties of welded specimen were similar with base metal in laser welding. And the proto type Mg body part was manufactured by warm forming.