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 microstructure and mechanical properties AA6061-T4 joints were analysed. Samples without any defects such as porosity, melt pool collapse, hot cracking produced with different parameters. Energetic processing had a significant influence fusion zone (FZ) heat-affected (HAZ) dimensions, in addition to local global properties. The weld bead width increased increasing power energy densities reduced tensile High travel speed more elongated ripples resulted ‘V’ shape. A quantity axial heterogeneous nucleation was observed FZ centre these beads because low-energy density. contrast, low C-shaped few grain sites FZ. latter evidence slower solidification rate. Dendrite secondary arm spacing measurements confirmed hypothesis. It that grains improve Compared base material (BM), hardness identical HAZ. depended Digital image correlation (DIC) strain indicated higher deformation near FZ, but when geometrical removed, deformed homogeneously.