Solidification Cracking Susceptibility of Al-Mg-Si Alloy Laser Welds

The solidification cracking susceptibilities of Al-Mg-Si alloy laser welds were assessed using the self-restraint tapered specimen crack test. The cracking susceptibility of 6061 and 6082 Al-Mg-Si alloy laser welds was substantially reduced when the filler wire containing high Si such as Al-12 wt.% Si (4047A) was used. The amount of eutectic was observed to affect the solidification cracking of Al-Mg-Si alloy laser welds. Abundant eutectic seems to heal the cracking and reduces the cracking susceptibility, while an initial increase in eutectic liquid leads to the increased cracking tendency.