Study of laser MIG hybrid welded AZ31 magnesium alloy

The laser metal inert gas (MIG) hybrid welded AZ31 magnesium alloy is discussed in weld shape, microstructure characteristics and mechanical properties in comparison of single laser and arc welding. The stable MIG arc, reliable droplet transfer and regular weld that are hardly obtained in single MIG welding can be obtained in hybrid welding by laser arc synergic effects. The ultimate tensile strength and elongation of hybrid weld are far higher than those of laser weld and reach 97.8 and 87.5% of base metal respectively. Under this experimental condition, the efficiency of hybrid welding is 1.20 times faster than that of single laser welding. Between the wide upper part (arc zone) and the narrow lower part (laser zone), obvious difference is observed. Arc zone has coarser grain size and wider partial melted zone than laser zone. Finally, the porosity reduction mechanism of hybrid weld is discussed according to the weld pool shape and the acting forces on it.