Numerical simulation and experimental study of residual stress in dissimilar aluminum alloy laser composite welding

The study combined experimental and numerical simulation methods to investigate the distribution of residual stress in laser composite welding of dissimilar aluminum alloys 6063 and 5083. Using the Simufact Welding simulation software and a combined volume heat source, the distribution patterns of transverse and longitudinal residual stress fields at different welding speeds were analyzed. The blind hole method was used to test the residual stress after welding. The results showed that the use of a combined volume heat source model for heat source calibration yielded ideal results, and the thermal cycle curve was basically consistent with the simulation and experimental results of residual stress. As the welding speed decreased, the longitudinal residual stress of the parent material on both sides significantly decreased, while the transverse residual stress increased. The majority of tensile and compressive stresses on both sides of the 5083 and 6063 aluminum alloys decreased with a decrease in welding speed. The Von Mises equivalent stress indicated that the cooling process is the main stage for residual stress generation. When the welding speed decreased, the peak value of longitudinal residual stress on the 6063 aluminum alloy side decreased from 230 to 90 MPa, while that on the 5083 aluminum alloy side decreased from 304 to 150 MPa. These findings provide an important basis for controlling and reducing the residual stress and deformation of dissimilar aluminum alloy laser arc composite welded components.