Aluminum tailor blanks have recently generated a lot of interest in the automotive industry. Aluminum offers significant weight and cost savings in car body manufacturing. The technology of forming Tailor Welded Blanks (TWB) for aluminum is challenging because of the difficulties associated with the welding and forming of aluminum. Present work describes the new findings and select results of laser processing of aluminum research done at the Center for Laser Aided Intelligent manufacturing (CLAIM), The University of Michigan. This includes the key experimental findings of the processing and characterization of laser-beam welding of Al 6061-T6 and 5754. A TRUMPF TLF 5000, Rf excited CO2 laser was used for laser welding. To overcome the common welding engineering problems such as sagging seam, undercuts and hot cracks, a novel filler material, Scandium modified 5025 Aluminum, was identified and used in laser welding. Various thicknesses of 6061-T6 and 5754 aluminum sheets were butt-welded using Sc filler material. Select results of the microstructural, geometrical and mechanical properties of the laser welds using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), X-ray Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (XEDS), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and tensile tests are presented. The Scandium laser welded joints showed high elongation. HAZ (Heat Affected Zone) cracking is significantly reduced in Sc laser-welded joints. The dispersion of thermally stable Al3Sc phase in the weld minimizes thermal softening that occurs in the HAZ. The welds under optimum conditions exhibited minimal loss of alloying element such as Mg.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Laser welding of aluminum for automotive applications


    Additional title:

    Laserschweißen von Aluminium für den Automobilbau


    Contributors:
    Bhandari, S. (author) / Mazumder, J. (author)


    Publication date :

    2000


    Size :

    14 Seiten, 12 Bilder, 10 Quellen



    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English




    Laser Welding of Aluminum Alloys for Automotive Applications

    Bhandari, S. / Mazumder, J. / Laser Institute of America | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2000


    Laser Beam Welding of Aluminum Alloys for Automotive Applications

    Martukanitz, R. P. / Smith, D. J. / Armao, F. G. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1994


    Laser beam welding of aluminum alloys for automotive applications

    Martukanitz,R.P. / Smith,D.J. / Armao,F.G. et al. | Automotive engineering | 1994


    Laser Beam Welding of Aluminum Alloys for Automotive Applications

    Baldantoni, A. / Smith, D. J. / Pickering, E. R. et al. | SAE Technical Papers | 1994


    Laser beam welding of aluminum alloys for automotive applications

    Martukanitz, R.P. / Smith, D.J. / Armao, F.G. et al. | Tema Archive | 1994