Effects of welding parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the AA6061 aluminium alloy joined by a Yb: YAG laser beam

In this study, the effects of Yb: YAG laser welding parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of AA6061-T4 joints were analysed. Samples without any welding defects such as porosity, melt pool collapse, and hot cracking were produced with different welding parameters. Energetic proc...

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Main Authors: Ameth Faye, Yannick Balcaen, Loic Lacroix, Joel Alexis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2021-06-01
Series:Journal of Advanced Joining Processes
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666330921000078
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author Ameth Faye
Yannick Balcaen
Loic Lacroix
Joel Alexis
author_facet Ameth Faye
Yannick Balcaen
Loic Lacroix
Joel Alexis
author_sort Ameth Faye
collection DOAJ
description In this study, the effects of Yb: YAG laser welding parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of AA6061-T4 joints were analysed. Samples without any welding defects such as porosity, melt pool collapse, and hot cracking were produced with different welding parameters. Energetic processing parameters had a significant influence on the fusion zone (FZ) and heat-affected zone (HAZ) microstructure and dimensions, in addition to local and global mechanical properties. The weld bead width increased with increasing power and energy densities and reduced the weld bead tensile properties. High welding travel speed produced a more elongated weld pool and ripples resulted in a ‘V’ shape. A significant quantity of axial heterogeneous nucleation was observed in the FZ centre of these weld beads because of the low-energy density. In contrast, low welding travel speed produced C-shaped ripples and a few axial grain nucleation sites in the FZ. The latter was evidence of a slower solidification rate. Dendrite secondary arm spacing measurements confirmed this hypothesis. It was observed that axial grains in the FZ centre improve the weld bead tensile properties. Compared to the base material (BM), the hardness in the FZ was reduced and identical in the HAZ. The FZ hardness depended on the welding parameters. Digital image correlation (DIC) strain measurements indicated higher deformation near the FZ, but when geometrical defects were removed, the FZ deformed more homogeneously.
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spelling doaj.art-c692c963605248729f9ee7c6e291b0ce2022-12-21T22:05:07ZengElsevierJournal of Advanced Joining Processes2666-33092021-06-013100047Effects of welding parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the AA6061 aluminium alloy joined by a Yb: YAG laser beamAmeth Faye0Yannick Balcaen1Loic Lacroix2Joel Alexis3Laboratoire Génie de Production, Ecole Nationale d'Ingénieurs de Tarbes, Université de Toulouse, LGP, ENIT/INPT, 47 av. d'Azereix, BP1629, 65016 Tarbes cedex, FranceLaboratoire Génie de Production, Ecole Nationale d'Ingénieurs de Tarbes, Université de Toulouse, LGP, ENIT/INPT, 47 av. d'Azereix, BP1629, 65016 Tarbes cedex, FranceLaboratoire Génie de Production, Ecole Nationale d'Ingénieurs de Tarbes, Université de Toulouse, LGP, ENIT/INPT, 47 av. d'Azereix, BP1629, 65016 Tarbes cedex, FranceCorresponding author.; Laboratoire Génie de Production, Ecole Nationale d'Ingénieurs de Tarbes, Université de Toulouse, LGP, ENIT/INPT, 47 av. d'Azereix, BP1629, 65016 Tarbes cedex, FranceIn this study, the effects of Yb: YAG laser welding parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of AA6061-T4 joints were analysed. Samples without any welding defects such as porosity, melt pool collapse, and hot cracking were produced with different welding parameters. Energetic processing parameters had a significant influence on the fusion zone (FZ) and heat-affected zone (HAZ) microstructure and dimensions, in addition to local and global mechanical properties. The weld bead width increased with increasing power and energy densities and reduced the weld bead tensile properties. High welding travel speed produced a more elongated weld pool and ripples resulted in a ‘V’ shape. A significant quantity of axial heterogeneous nucleation was observed in the FZ centre of these weld beads because of the low-energy density. In contrast, low welding travel speed produced C-shaped ripples and a few axial grain nucleation sites in the FZ. The latter was evidence of a slower solidification rate. Dendrite secondary arm spacing measurements confirmed this hypothesis. It was observed that axial grains in the FZ centre improve the weld bead tensile properties. Compared to the base material (BM), the hardness in the FZ was reduced and identical in the HAZ. The FZ hardness depended on the welding parameters. Digital image correlation (DIC) strain measurements indicated higher deformation near the FZ, but when geometrical defects were removed, the FZ deformed more homogeneously.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666330921000078Laser welding processAluminium alloyMicrostructure studyEngineering properties
spellingShingle Ameth Faye
Yannick Balcaen
Loic Lacroix
Joel Alexis
Effects of welding parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the AA6061 aluminium alloy joined by a Yb: YAG laser beam
Journal of Advanced Joining Processes
Laser welding process
Aluminium alloy
Microstructure study
Engineering properties
title Effects of welding parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the AA6061 aluminium alloy joined by a Yb: YAG laser beam
title_full Effects of welding parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the AA6061 aluminium alloy joined by a Yb: YAG laser beam
title_fullStr Effects of welding parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the AA6061 aluminium alloy joined by a Yb: YAG laser beam
title_full_unstemmed Effects of welding parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the AA6061 aluminium alloy joined by a Yb: YAG laser beam
title_short Effects of welding parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the AA6061 aluminium alloy joined by a Yb: YAG laser beam
title_sort effects of welding parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the aa6061 aluminium alloy joined by a yb yag laser beam
topic Laser welding process
Aluminium alloy
Microstructure study
Engineering properties
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666330921000078
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