Aluminium alloys are among the most important parts of lightweight structural materials being of strategic significance, but are difficult to weld with conventional techniques due to their special metallurgical properties. Laser beam welding is a fast growing technology that offers new opportunities in joining those alloys. In this paper, progresses in laser welding of aluminium alloys are reviewed mainly based on the author’s research achievements financially supported by the National “863” Program of the Ministry of Science and Technology and by the Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University of the Ministry of Education in China.

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