ISSN: 1945-7553
Published Online: 4 January 2007
Page Count: 8

Laser Welding Conditions to Improve Tensile Strength and Fatigue Strength of a Lap Joint in Aluminum Alloys

Kawamoto, Kyohei
Graduate students, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyushu University, Nishi-ku,Fukuoka

Yoshimitsu, Shintaro
Graduate students, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyushu University, Nishi-ku,Fukuoka

Noguchi, Hiroshi
Associate Professor and Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering Science, Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University, Nishi-ku,Fukuoka

Yoshimura, Tatsuhiko
Associate Professor and Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering Science, Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University, Nishi-ku,Fukuoka

(Received 23 December 2003; accepted 5 December 2006)

Abstract

This research shows a procedure for seeking a domain of conditions under which the tensile strength and fatigue strength are improved in lap joints of aluminum alloys made by laser welding. Laser welding parameters involve the following three factors: gap width, welding speed, and laser power. The following conditions were obtained in this research. (a) When searching for favorable welding conditions, the required work involves only observing the states around the weld-zone. (b) In order to improved the fatigue strength, it is necessary to prevent the generation of lack of fusion by the shortage of heat input and a crack near the toe of the weld due to the excess heat input. Using the results, the above-mentioned simple method is shown.

Keywords:
laser welding, aluminum alloy, lap joint, tensile strength, fatigue strength, heat input, gap width, reliability

Paper ID: JTE100077
DOI: 10.1520/JTE100077
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