CO2 Laser Welding of Aluminium Shipbuilding Industry Alloys: AA 5083, AA 5059, AA 5383 and AA 6082

Aluminium alloys are interesting in many and many industrial applications, from the classical aircraft industry to rail and road vehicles manufacturing (High Speed Train, Car Structure and Body). Recently much more attention for Aluminium Alloys, 5000 and 6000 Series, has been carried out by Shipbuilding Industry, especially for using in the H.S.L.C. (High Speed Light Craft). Therefore the aim of this experimental work has been to study, develop and test a reproducible CO2 laser welding procedure and technique on four specific alloys, that is AA 5083, AA 5383, AA 5059 (Al-Mg Alloys), and AA 6082 (Al-Mg-Si Alloy). Different techniques, methodologies, covering gases, nozzles, focusing lenses and mirrors, welding speed range, laser power range (1000 and 2500 W) have been carefully experimented. The melted zones properties have been evaluated by cross sections, and some visual inspections by a NIKON LUCIA Imaging System correlating each experimental test, results and evaluations to the adopted process parameters and to the thermo-physical properties of the tested alloys.