Mechanism of laser welding of SiC reinforced LD2 aluminum metal matrix composite

In this paper the mechanism of SiC_P/LD2 aluminum matrix composites during laser welding was investigated. The emphasis was laid on the study of the distribution of aluminum carbides in whole welds. The joint can be divided into three regions both in depth and in width. The depth is divided into several reaction region, partial reaction region, and no reaction region. In these regions, the extent of interfacial reaction varies gradually, the shape of reactants varies from long to fine. In width it can also be divided into severe reaction region, partial reaction region, and initial reaction region from the center of the weld to about the welding junction. In the initial reaction region, nucleation and growth of the reaction products on the surface of SiC particles can be observed by using TEM. The investigation showed that the quantity and size of SiC are relative to the temperature gradient in the molten pool.