Pulsed YAG laser weldability of magnesium alloys

Abstract Magnesium alloys are the most lightweight of practical metals, have high specific strength and specific rigidity and have attracted a great deal of attention as structural materials. They have been extensively applied, in particular, in automotive components and as cases for laptop computers/AV (audio-visual) appliances. The development of joining techniques is essential for the employment of magnesium alloys as structural materials. The author and others1–5 have previously reported on the microstructure, and mechanical properties, crack susceptibility of magnesium alloy joints made by TIG, electron beam and friction welding.