About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 AWS Professional Program
|
| Symposium
|
2026 AWS Professional Program
|
| Presentation Title |
Evaluating Conduction and Beam-Oscillated Keyhole Modes in Hot Wire Laser Welding of AA6061-T6 Thin Sheet |
| Author(s) |
Paul Blackhurst, Boyd Panton |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Paul Blackhurst |
| Abstract Scope |
Joining of thin sheet metals has traditionally had challenges with melt-through, distortion, and cracking. These issues are accentuated with aluminum alloys due to their high coefficient of thermal expansion and susceptibility to solidification and liquation cracking. Hot wire laser welding (HWLW) is a novel joining method that achieves acceptable fusion for thin sheet aluminum while minimizing heat input and distortion. In this study, conduction mode HWLW and beam-oscillated keyhole mode HWLW were investigated for use in HWLW of thin sheet AA6061-T6. The oscillated keyhole mode beam had a spot diameter of 0.560 mm, and the conduction mode beam had a spot diameter of 3 mm with no beam oscillation. Process windows for beam-oscillated keyhole mode were developed. The keyhole mode welds produced deeper penetration with less power than conduction mode. Keyhole mode welds exhibited greater performance in strength, elongation, and processing efficiency compared to the conduction mode welds. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Undecided |