This work has investigated the welding of two 5000 series aluminium alloys, 5083-H351 and 5005, using an Nd:YAG continuous wave laser with an output power of 3.5 kW. The focus of the work was to address the requirements of protecting and supporting the weld pool during the welding of these alloys. The use of welding fluxes to protect and support the molten weld pool during welding was compared with the conventional method of using a gas backing. Welding fluxes mainly contain combinations of chlorides and fluorides that can react with and eliminate the aluminium oxide layer, and can assist in supporting the weld pool by increasing the overall surface tension at the root. The study has also investigated the influence of the shielding gas type on weld quality by assessing mechanical properties of weldments, defect levels, presence of undercut and the appearance of the bead surfaces. Welding conditions have been established to produce full penetration welds in 3 mm thick 5083 and 5005 aluminium alloys. The two different methods of protecting the root of the weld beads, namely gas backing and the application of a welding flux, were compared according to ease of setup, defect rate, microstructure, surface appearance and mechanical properties.

1.
Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special Purpose Materials
, Vol
2
,
ASM Handbook, ASM International
,
1990
,
62
–
122
.
2.
CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics
,
CRC Press Inc.
,
1988
,
F20
–
F23
.
3.
Punkari
,
A.
,
Weckman
,
D. C.
 &
Kerr
,
H. W.
 (
2003
)
Effect of magnesium content on dual beam Nd:YAG laser welding of Al-Mg alloys
,
Science and Technology of Welding and Joining
8
(
4
),
269
–
280
.
https://doi.org/10.1179/136217103225005516
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
4.
Cretteur
,
L.
 &
Marya
,
S.
 (
2000
)
Development and application of flux paste for laser welding of aluminium alloys
,
Welding International
14
(
2
),
120
–
134
.
https://doi.org/10.1080/09507110009549150
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
5.
Cretteur
,
L.
 &
Marya
,
S.
 (
2000
)
Flux development to improve CO2 laser welding of aluminium-application to alloy 6061
,
Welding in the World
44
(
1
),
41
–
48
.
Google Scholar
 
6.
Ion
,
J. C.
 (
2000
)
Laser beam welding of wrought aluminium alloys
,
Science and Technology of Welding and Joining
5
(
5
),
265
–
276
.
https://doi.org/10.1179/136217100101538308
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
7.
Deutsch
,
M. G.
,
Punkari
,
A.
,
Weckman
,
D. C.
 &
Kerr
,
H. W.
 (
2003
)
Weldability of 1.6 mm thick aluminium alloy 5182 sheet by single and dual beam Nd:YAG laser welding
,
Science and Technology of Welding and Joining
8
(
4
),
246
–
256
.
https://doi.org/10.1179/136217103225005499
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
8.
Martukanitz
,
R. P.
 (
1993
) Selection and weldability of heat treatable aluminium alloys, Welding,
Brazing and Soldering
, Vol
6
,
ASM Handbook, ASM International
,
529
–
536
.
Google Scholar
 
9.
Saidov
,
R. M.
,
Semmler
,
U.
,
Matthes
,
K.
 &
Bohr
,
A.
 (
2003
)
Improving the weldability of Al alloys by using fluxes-Part 1 Weld shape and irregularities
,
Welding and Cutting
,
55
(
4
),
196
–
203
.
Google Scholar
 
9.
Moon
,
D. W.
 &
Metzbower
,
E. A.
 (
1983
)
Laser beam welding of aluminium alloy 5456
,
Welding Journal
62
(
2
),
53s
–
58s
.
Google Scholar
 
10.
Cieslak
,
M. J.
 &
Fuerschbach
 (
1988
)
On the weldability, composition and hardness of pulsed and continuous Nd:YAG laser welds in aluminium alloys 6061, 5456 and 5086
,
Metallurgical Transactions B
19B
,
319
–
329
.
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02654217
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
11.
Pastor
,
M.
,
Zhao
,
H.
 &
Debroy
,
T.
 (
2001
)
Pore formation during continuous wave Nd:YAG laser welding of aluminium for automotive applications
,
Welding International
,
15
(
4
),
275
–
281
.
https://doi.org/10.1080/09507110109549355
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
This content is only available via PDF.
© 2004 Laser Institute of America.
2004
Laser Institute of America
You do not currently have access to this content.