Effect of the Mg Content on the Solidification Cracking Susceptibility of the Al-Mg Alloy Laser Welds

Abstract

The solidification cracking susceptibilities of Al-Mg alloy laser welds were assessed using self-restraint tapered specimen crack test. The dependence of cracking susceptibility of Al-Mg alloy laser welds on Mg contents was observed to be similar to that of arc welds in the same materials. The cracking susceptibility of Al-Mg alloy laser welds increased as Mg content increased up to 1.6-1.9 wt.% and then it decreased as Mg content increased further. The peak cracking susceptibility occurred at around 1.6 to 1.9 wt.% Mg for both autogenous and wire feed welds. It was also observed that the cracking susceptibility decreased as the grain size of Al-Mg alloy laser welds decreased, when Mg content was in the range higher than 1.9 wt.%.

Keywords

• Al-Mg alloys;
• Laser welding;
• Solidification cracking susceptibility;
• Tapered specimen crack test;
• Grain size