Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon Graduate Center, 1986.

Thesis deals with the optimization of process parameters during laser welding of aluminum alloys 5000 series. The theoretical part describes the types of lasers and their applications in industry, further discusses the properties of aluminum alloys, laser welding theory and principles of monitoring and diagnostics of laser process. In the experimental part the samples were welded using a semiconductor laser. For those samples were evaluated mechanical properties, welded defects and structure depending on the process parameters. Using the photodetector was observed stability of laser process by sensing the plasma plume. The link between stability and the formation of structural defects in the weld joint was observed from the measurement results.