Review on Laser Welding of High Strength Aluminium Alloy for Automotive Applications

Abstract

<div class="section abstract"><div class="htmlview paragraph">High strength aluminium alloys are an ideal material in the automotive sector leading to a significant weight reduction and enhancement in product safety. In recent past extensive development in the field of high strength steel and aluminium was undertaken. This development has been propelled due to demand for light weight automotive parts. The high strength to weight ratio possessed by Al alloy helps in reducing the total weight of the vehicle without effecting the overall performance, thereby increasing the fuel economy, and reducing the carbon emission level. Joining of high strength aluminium alloy is critical to develop durable automotive products. Joining of high strength aluminium alloy for mass production in automobile industry is a challenging task. Laser welding is recognized as an advanced process to join materials with a laser beam of high-power, high- energy density. In the present study efforts are made to summarize the influence of important process parameters of laser welding on the mechanical and metallurgical behaviour of the weld joint. It includes literature review of previous important articles on laser welding of high strength aluminium alloy. Major issues and possible solutions for laser welding of high strength aluminium alloy are described in this article. Critical observations, statistics and overall summary related to laser welding presented in this work will be useful to the research community.</div></div>