Effect of Laser Welding Parameters on Similar and Dissimilar Joints for Tab–Busbar Interconnects

The demand for electric mobility has driven the development of advanced laser welding technologies such as dual beam welding and beam shaping. Nevertheless, some intrinsic characteristics present challenges to exploring all its benefits. In this sense, this study investigates the effect of the laser welding parameters employed on the weld quality in busbar–battery interconnects. Dual beam and beam shaping strategies were applied in Al-Al (AA1050 H24) and Al-Cu (AA1050 H24 and C11000) overlap joint configurations adopting statistical methods. For Al-Al joints, welding speed was the most significant parameter influencing interface width, whereas in Al-Cu joints, core power was the only significant parameter affecting both interface width and penetration in the studied configuration. Common defects, such as porosity and cracks, were observed in both material combinations. In Al-Al joints, higher welding speeds resulted in up to a 16% (65.6 HV) increase in hardness, while, in Al-Cu joints, the peak value reached around 900 HV in the interface zone due to the formation of intermetallic compounds (IMCs). In addition, IMCs with complex structures and significant compositional variations, including Cu₉Al₄ and CuAl₂ were identified.