Related resources
Full-text held externally
Search for item elsewhere
University researcher(s)
Academic department(s)
Laser and hybrid laser-MIG welding of a 12.7mm thick aluminium aerospace alloy
C.M. Allen, G Verhaeghe, PA Hilton, C.P. Heason, P.B. Prangnell,
Mat. Sci. Forum. 2006;519-521:1139-1144.
Access to files
- POST-PEER-REVIEW-PUBLISHERS (octet-stream)
Abstract
Fusion welding of 7xxx aluminium alloy plates has been investigated for aerospaceapplications using autogenous laser welding and hybrid laser-MIG welding. Nd:YAG and Yb-fibrelasers have been used, with two different focussed spot sizes in each case. Autogenous and hybridwelding of 12.7mm thick plate using the Yb-fibre laser with a 0.6mm diameter spot was selected for further development, on the basis of penetration and weld quality achieved. These welds were acceptable to the highest quality class B (stringent) of BS EN ISO 13919-2:2001, with a porosity of only 0.3% of the cross-sectional area of the weld, and close to class A of AWS D17.1. Transverse proof strengths of ~60% of parent material were achieved. Development of hybrid welding is ongoing with novel fillers to refine weld metal grain structure and improve weld properties.