Laser welding of alumina reinforced 6061 aluminum alloy composite Available to Purchase

New technology has allowed the manufacture of many new types of metal matrix composites (MMC) that have superior properties to that of their monolithic counterparts. With these new composites also come many new manufacturing problems, one of which is joining by welding. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of laser welding of an alumina reinforced 6061 aluminum alloy based composite. Conventional welding can be used to join this composite by using a filler material but leaves the joint with a lesser number of alumina particles. Welding, using a CO₂ laser, is an alternate method being tested. In the case of aluminum alloys, high reflectivity to the CO₂ laser beam, high heat conductivity and low viscosity of the melt all contribute to the difficulty in welding. The presence of alumina particles further complicates the process. Proper optimization of the laser welding parameters such as initiation and maintaining of the keyhole, choice of suitable shield gas and how it is applied to the weld area etc. are investigated with some results reported. Limited welds were accomplished but much work is still required to be able to apply the process to production laser welding.