External Electric Current Supported CO_2 Laser Welding of 5A06 Aluminium Alloy

摘要

A systematic investigation of external electric current supported laser welding (EECSLW) of a 5A06 aluminium alloy (Al-6Mg) is presented. By using external electric current, the laser welding of the 5A06 aluminium alloy process became more stable, resulting in a smoother weld appearance and fewer welding spatter. The pores within the EECSLW joint sharply reduced in comparison with that within laser welding joint, especially when a high external electric current was used. The weld depth and cross-sectional area also increased considerably with external electric current. EECSLW was a better process that evidently did not undermine the microstructure and microhardness of the joint. The effects of external electric current on laser welding of aluminium alloy are mainly ascribed to the electric field effect and magneto-fluid dynamics (MFD) effect.