Ti6A14V sheets lap and butt joints carried out by CO2 laser:: mechanical and morphological characterization

This research work deals with the most commonly used titanium alloy, Ti6Al4V. Lap and butt laser welding processes were studied and tested by a CO2 laser system using two covering gases (He and Ar) with different welding covering gas nozzles, gas pressure and flow rates. A metallographic analysis of the cross-sections of welded specimens was carried out in order to measure the morphological characteristics of the welded joint, and micro-hardness and tensile tests were performed to complete the mechanical characterization. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.