Effect of Initial Microstructure on the Performance of 6XXX Al-alloy Laser Welds: A Computational Study

Laser welding (LW) offers an attractive joining technique for Al-alloys. The performance of laser welds usually suffers from mechanical strength degradation in the heat-affected zone (HAZ). In the present study, the effect of the initial-aged microstructure on the post-welded state of 6XXX Al-alloys laser welds was examined via computational modeling techniques. A well-established and detailed precipitation model was used, coupled with a strength model. The influence of the main process variables for aging heat treatment (time and temperature) and LW (power and speed) on the mechanical integrity of weld joints and specifically in the yield strength profile in the HAZ was analyzed. Also, a simple method for the prediction of the width of HAZ is provided. It is concluded that more coarsened microstructures show better performance (compared with the aged state) due to lower degradation of mechanical strength and narrower width of HAZ on the post-welded state. This study provides a method for the selection of the appropriate process parameters for aging and LW of 6XXX Al-alloys.