Simulation on the electron beam welding of Al 2219 alloy was carried out by using commercial FEM code MARC, which encounters moving heat sources. Due to axisymmetry of geometry, a half of the cylinder was simulated. A coupled thermo-mechanical analysis was carried out and subroutine for heat flux was substituted in the program. The material properties such as specific heat, heat transfer coefficient and thermal expansion coefficient were given as a function of temperature and the latent heat associated with a given temperature range is considered. As a result, the proper beam power is 60㎸${\times}$60㎃ and welding speed is 1∼1.5 m/min. The residual stress in the heat-affected zone as well as the fusion zone does not increase. It is necessary to use jigs for preventing distortion of cylinder and improving weld quality.

This work was carried out to investigate the welding behavior of thin A3003 Al alloy sheets by Nd : YAG laser beam. Considering bead shape and mechanical properties, the laser pulse shapes selected were two kinds of 2-division and 3-division by varying power level and pulse duration. In order to obtain optimum conditions, the factorial design method and central composite design method were applied. Tensile test, optical microscopy, micro hardness test and TEM analysis were performed. Due to the annealing caused by thermal effect during laser welding, precipitates were coarsended. The HAZ was softened and failed during tensile test. The hardness of HAZ was lower than that of base metal, since the heat input relieved the work hardening effect and caused grain growth.

This study was performed to evaluate basic characteristics of electron beam weldability for high strength aluminum alloys. The aluminum alloys used were A5083 and A6N01, and A7N01. The principal welding process parameters, such as accelerating voltage, beam current, welding speed and chamber pressure were investigated. The dimension and microstructure of welds were evaluated with OLM, and SEM (EDAX). In addition, weldability variation(cracking) due to process parameters was also evaluated. The degree of cracking in the EB fusion zone appears to be affected mainly by aspect ratio, such that as aspect ratio increases the cracking tendency also increases. The alloying element itself may also affect the hot cracking resistance, but its role is considered to be indirect effect such that the relatively higher vaporization pressure elements of Zn and Mg give deeper weld penetration and thus results in greater cracking tendency.