Reduction of porosity content generated during Nd:YAG laser welding of A356 and AA5083 aluminium alloys

Porosity formation is greatly influenced in aluminium alloys by the low vaporisation point element (Mg, Zn) content, or by process instability such as key-hole closures that tend to entrap occluded gases during welding. Another important contribution comes from the hydrogen content, because of a very high solubility in molten aluminium that favours microporosity generation. In this paper, cw YAG laser welds on two aluminium alloys were carried out: a AA5083-O wrought alloy with a high Mg content (4.5%) and a A356 cast alloy with 7% Si and a cast oxide layer. The porosity content in laser beads was extensively studied, with the use of different experimental method (X-ray radiography + image analysis, tomography), in order to check the influence of mechanical surface preparation as well as process parameters (single or dual spot, different welding speeds). It was concluded that surface preparation as well as dual beam welding are adequate methods for reducing porosity formation tendency in laser assemblies. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.