Laser welding of aluminum-calcium alloys based on ((Al) + Al4(Ca, La)) eutectic

Abstract

The influence of laser welding modes on the structure and properties of butt joints formed for the models of cast sample—cast sample, wrought sample—wrought sample, as well as a hybrid joint of a cast and a wrought sample of Al3Ca0.5La1Mn aluminum-calcium alloy, was studied. The influence of welding parameters on the quality of the weld was evaluated using structural and mechanical tests. The optimal welding parameters were identified as follows: laser power of 1400–1600 W, welding speed of 20 mm/s, focal length of 193 mm, and argon flow rate supplied to the welding zone of 15 L/min. This resulted in the formation of a high-quality welded joint with low porosity and the absence of cracks. The variation in the mass fraction of alloying elements in the process of laser welding of aluminum-calcium alloys was revealed. Under optimal laser welding modes, calcium evaporation in the melting zone is approximately 6.5–10.3%. The obtained joints exhibit a factor of safety of 0.71–0.83 of the ultimate strength of the base metal.