Studio, caratterizzazione e diagnostica in tempo reale dei processi di saldatura laser di leghe di alluminio-magnesio

The application of laser welding technology to lightweight aluminum alloys is currently hindered by the still lacking relia bility of the process and the high level of know-how required, besides the expensive costs of investment Present research is devoted to understand the complex physical interactions involved in the process aiming to optimize process parameters. Furthermore the demand for on-line monitoring systems is rapidly growing by manufacturing industry. In this work recent results on this topic, achieved by the CNRINFM, University and Polytechnic of Bari research group are presented like the development of an innovative optical sensor, based on spectroscopic techniques, for real-time laser welding process monitoring; experimental analysis of the influence on the weld quality of the gas nozzle design; development and experimental validation of a Finite Element thermo-mechanical Model capable to predict deformations and thermal cycles taking place during the welding process: study of the influence of the main process parameters on the mechanical properties of autogenous laser butt-welded Al-Mg alloy sheet plates, by using Design of Experiment techniques.