Assessment of Fracture and Fatigue Crack Propagation of Laser Beam and Friction Stir Welded Aluminium and Magnesium Alloys

The new joining technologies and the development of new weldable alloys open perspectives for weight and cost savings in the aerospace and the automotive industries. However, fulfilment of property requirements can be a limiting factor for the application of such new technologies. In this paper we present our results from some recent and on‐going investigations on the damage tolerance of 6XXX aerospace Al‐alloys and AZ31B Mg‐alloy, welded by using laser beam and friction stir processes. Particular emphasis is placed on fatigue crack propagation and fracture behaviour, and future areas for research in the damage tolerance behaviour of the strength undermatched Al‐welds are identified while outlining possible solutions.