Laser forming of aluminium and aluminium alloys - microstructural investigation

This paper shows the microstructural development and changes in mechanical properties aluminium and aluminium alloys undergo during the process of las er forming. The resulting structures, grain structure and microstructure we re analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively by optical and electron m icroscopy in order to examine the kind of existing structure zones and thei r extent. Zones with different substructures can be seen depending on the s elected test parameters. The degree of substructural development seems to b e a function of all influences and cannot entirely be explained by laser pa rameters and material characteristics. Obviously, during laser forming seve ral different inhomogeneous particle and dislocation structures develop whi ch are responsible for the strength of the whole composite on the one hand, and for the strength of individual small components of the whole on the ot her hand. Thus, hardness tests of laser-formed specimens prove the existenc e of different zones depending on the material and heat treatment. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.