Laser Welding of Lightweight Alloys

In this modern era, the importance of using light alloys in various manufacturing sectors such as automotive, military, biomedical, and aerospace has significantly increased. This is primarily due to their cost-effectiveness and favorable processing characteristics, including resistance to failure and high plasticity. The growing demand for lightweight structures made from materials like aluminum, magnesium, and titanium necessitates efficient machining methods that are also sustainable. To meet this demand, a range of versatile manufacturing techniques have been adopted, including alloying mixtures, friction stir welding, bulk deformation, surface modification methods, and additive manufacturing. Among these methods, laser welding has gained popularity in numerous studies due to its ability to handle high strain rates, fabrication complexities, wear, and collisions. Laser welding stands out for its capacity to bond thinner materials without the need for filler, thereby sustaining tensile and bending strength without excessive material usage. This is achieved through the electromagnetic heat and radiation emitted by the laser, which simultaneously enhances strength. This study focuses on the elaborate discussion of laser welding, which includes the benefits of laser welding over other conventional welding methods and its application in different types of alloys.