Laser welding/brazing of 5182 aluminium alloy to ZEK100 magnesium alloy using a nickel interlayer

ABSTRACT

Aluminium alloy and magnesium alloy were successfully joined by using laser welding/brazing technology via a nickel interlayer. Microstructure and mechanical properties of the dissimilar Al/Mg joints with and without a nickel interlayer were comparatively investigated. No joints were achieved without a nickel interlayer; after welding, specimens were separated without applying any force. By inserting a nickel interlayer, sound metallurgical bonding were obtained at the interfaces. Hence, the joint strength reached 410 N with the failure at Mg/Ni interface. The influence of Ni interlayer on the weld defect, microstructure and joint strength was studied, and the joint formation mechanism was also discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Laser welding/brazing
• aluminium alloy
• magnesium alloy
• nickel interlayer
• intermetallic compounds
• joint strength

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

Jin Yang http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5226-4815

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant numbers 51375294 and 51665038) and NSERC is gratefully acknowledged.