Welding characteristics of laser-low power pulse MIG hybrid welding aluminium alloy

The weld penetration, formation of weld, welding speed and weld heat input of MIG(metal inert-gas)welding and laser-MIG hybrid welding are analyzed for welding 5A06 aluminum alloy.It is shown that comparing with MIG welding, laser-MIG hybrid welding will increase depth-to-width ratio 100%-200% and increase weld penetration 43%-250%, as average current is less than 200 A and welding heat input and welding speed are equal.If welding heat input and average welding current are equal, welding speed of laser-MIG hybrid welding is higher 0.6-1.5 times than that ofMIG welding, and weld penetration of laser-MIG hybrid welding is deeper 1.5-6.9 times than that ofMIG welding.Equal weld penetration of laser-MIG hybrid welding andMIG welding can be obtained if lower welding heat input is applied in the hybrid welding and welding speed of the hybrid welding is 0.6-6.5 times higher than the one of MIG welding.Laser-MIG hybrid welding has good weld spreadability and is fit for high speed welding.It also was found that 2 kW laser power compounding with MIG will increase average arc voltage and decrease average welding current of MIG welding.