Modeling of chemical composition in the melt pool during laser welding of Aluminum / Magnesium alloys

Abstract

Joining dissimilar metals is very difficult due to the formation of brittle intermetallic phases which may be detrimental to mechanical properties. The present work aims to investigate the transport phenomenon in the weld bead and to understand the materials mixing during laser welding process of dissimilar Aluminum-Magnesium alloys. A three-dimensional transient model based on fluid flow, heat and mass transfer has been developed to predict the formation of the weld and to study numerically and experimentally the diffusion of alloying elements in the melted zone. SEM analysis of chemical composition has been realized to map elements distribution in the melted zone. The results of simulation show the formation of a heterogeneous mixture in the melt pool. The elements distribution map and the presence of brittle intermetallic phases in the fusion zone were analysed. The formation of intermetallic compounds, comprising Al3Mg2 and Al12Mg17 phases were predicted by studying the chemical elements distribution in the weld pool. A good tendency between experimental and numerical results is noticed for the weld.