Microstructural and Mechanical Investigation of the Joint of Aluminum Alloy 6061 with CO2 Laser High Power Welding Machine

One of the emerging methods of joining various metals is the use of laser beam welding in a variety of industries such as transportation, aerospace, radar, and marine construction, which reduces fuel consumption and thus reduces environmental pollution. In this study, the microstructure and mechanical properties of similar joints of aluminum alloy 6061 with a thickness of 2 millimeters have been investigated by the laser beam welding method with a high power of 5000 watts. Examined items include the effect of laser welding parameters such as power, frequency, and welding speed on microstructural and mechanical properties. Microstructural analysis results using an optical and scanning electron microscope show that in the process, the microstructure of the weld in the base metal to the center of the weld region changed from the dendritic column to the parallel dendritic zone and eventually reached the equiaxed dendritic area, due to the higher input temperature and consequently less cooling rate. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) showed no significant change in the chemical composition. Investigating the mechanical properties using hardness measurement, and the tensile testing showed that the hardness in the fusion zone was lower than other base metal zones, and the optimized sample was failed in the weld zone. The tensile strength of the optimum welding sample is approximately equal to half the tensile strength of the base metal.