INVESTIGATION OF DISSIMILAR LASER WELDING OF STAINLESS STEEL 316L TO ALUMINIUM A1050 IN LAP JOINTS CONFIGURATION

A continuous wave fibre laser was applied in lap joint configuration in order to weld 1 mm thick stainless steel to 1 mm thick aluminium, with the stainless steel on the top. The laser system was used at maximum power to ensure full penetration depth. In order to produce pore free and aesthetic welds, other processing parameters were optimized, such laser velocity and focusing position. The dissimilar joints were studied by optical metallography, scanning electron microscopy and mechanically evaluated by pull-out tests. The potential of this joining method is discussed, based on the results of the analysis.