'In-situ' weld-alloying/laser beam welding of SiCp/6061Al MMC

In this paper, 'in-situ' weld-alloying/laser beam welding with titanium as alloying element is utilized to join SiCp/6061Al MMC in order to prevent the formation of the needle-like harmful Al4C3 phases in the weld. Microstructure of the weld is characterized as functions of alloying content and processing parameters. Results show that the needle-like harmful aluminum carbides are completely eliminated. A central fusion weld joint reinforced by TiC, Ti5Si3 and Al3Ti is produced by 'in-situ' weld-alloying/laser beam welding of SiCp/6061Al MMC, while some large pores are formed in the partly melted zone. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.