Microstructural Features and Mechanical Behavior of Laser Welded Magnesium Alloy Sheet

Magnesium Alloy is gaining momentum now a days as it is light in weight and possess moderate strength. Automotive and aerospace industries and electronics companies looking for light and strong and smart materials to save fuel and emission free environments, which magnesium alloy can meet. As Tailor welded magnesium alloy sheets are in demand, AZ31B -H24 magnesium alloy sheet with 2 mm thickness is selected in this research work. Laser welding is used to join magnesium alloy sheets in butt configuration. The samples are analyzed, and observations and challenges are addressed with help of micrographs for further scope of work. Effect of laser welding on grain or microstructure changes are also outlined. Thorough micro structural analysis is carried out with an objective to capture grain structure near parent metal, left and right-hand sides of heat affected zone and weld line. Impact and hardness tests are conducted to assess the mechanical behavior of laser welded samples.