The relation between magnesium evaporation and laser absorption and weld penetration in pulsed laser welding of aluminum alloys: Experimental and numerical investigations

[Display omitted] •In laser welding of aluminum alloys, the weld penetration is dependent on Mg content of the alloy.•The presence of Mg vapor in the plasma plume over the weld pool affects the laser absorption, and it is through this phenomenon that the penetration is affected.•Increasing the laser pulse energy, Mg evaporation is increased, and that, in turn, increased the effective laser absorption coefficient. It is observed that in laser welding of aluminum alloys, magnesium can evaporate, and the weld penetration is dependent on Mg content of the alloy and Mg loss from the weld pool. In this research, it is proposed that the presence of Mg not in the base metal alloy, but rather the presence of Mg vapor in the plasma plume over the weld pool affects the laser absorption, and it is through this phenomenon that the weld profile and penetration is affected. Numerical simulation was performed to determine the relationship between the weld profile to estimate the effective laser absorption coefficient of four Al alloys and in parallel EPMA technique was used to determine the Mg losses of the weld metals. The combined analysis of the results showed that increasing the laser pulse energy (decreasing laser pulse frequency), Mg evaporation is increased, and that, in turn, increased the effective laser absorption coefficient. However, more laser power absorption does not necessarily mean more weld penetration. Laser absorption results in weld penetration, once the threshold Mg evaporation rate of 200 × 10-6g/cm2 is passed.