Effect of laser power on microstructure and mechanical properties of laser heat conduction lap welded joint between AZ31B magnesium alloy and DP780 galvanized steel

In this work, laser heat conduction lap welding (LHCLW) of AZ31B magnesium alloy sheet and DP780 galvanized steel sheet was carried out by the defocused laser beam. The effects of laser power on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the joint were studied. The pros and cons of the joint were identified and evaluated by measuring the tensile shear strength, microhardness and microstructure observation. The formation mechanism of various phases at the Mg/steel interface was analyzed. The results indicated that the galvanized layer could promote the metallurgical bonding between magnesium alloy and steel by improving the diffusion ability of molten magnesium alloy at the steel interface and reacting with Mg, so as to enhance the strength of the joint. A continuous dense layered eutectic structure (alpha-Mg+MgZn) was formed at the interface of the joint, while MgZn2 and MgZn phase was formed at the weld edge zone and heat affective zone (HAZ), whereas no reaction layer was generated between the uncoated steel and magnesium alloy. A sound joint could be obtained at 2.5 kW, and the corresponding tensile shear strength reached the maximum value of 42.9 N/mm. The strength was slightly reduced at 2.6 kW due to the existence of microcracks in the eutectic reaction layer.