Is laser welding stronger than TIG?

On thin sheet it gives full-strength welds with less heat damage. TIG still suits thick sections and wide gaps better.

Does laser welding need a perfect fit-up?

Yes, more than TIG. Gaps should be small, often under about 10–20% of the sheet thickness, or filler wire is needed.

Can laser welding join aluminium?

Yes, with enough power and the right settings, though aluminium is harder to laser weld than steel because it reflects the beam.

Laser welding job work: thin metals, accuracy, uses

Laser welding melts and joins metal with a focused laser beam. The heat goes into a very small spot, so welds are narrow and deep, parts barely distort, and there is little spatter or grinding afterwards. Handheld fibre laser welders are now common for stainless sheet work, while automatic laser welding is used for precise parts such as sensors, batteries and medical items.

Quick facts

Laser: Fibre laser, about 1–3 kW for handheld
Metals: Stainless steel, mild steel, aluminium, copper, brass, titanium
Typical thickness: About 0.5–4 mm (0.0197–0.157 inch) handheld; deeper with higher power
Distortion: Very low
Speed: Several times faster than TIG on thin sheet
Usually priced: Per metre of weld or per part

Handheld or automatic?

	Handheld laser welding	Automatic (robot or CNC)
Best for	Sheet metal boxes, kitchen equipment, frames	Repeat precise parts
Setup	Little	Fixtures and programming
Consistency	Depends on the operator	Very high

Where it shines

Thin stainless sheet that warps with TIG
Visible corner and edge welds on cabinets and enclosures
Welding close to heat-sensitive parts
Small precise welds on sensors, jewellery and medical parts
Joining dissimilar metals in some cases

What to send

Drawing or photos of the joints
Material and thickness
Whether joints are butt, lap or fillet, and the fit-up gap
Finish needed (as welded, brushed, polished)
Quantity and whether a sample is needed first

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Related job work

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Materials

Questions

Is laser welding stronger than TIG?: On thin sheet it gives full-strength welds with less heat damage. TIG still suits thick sections and wide gaps better.
Does laser welding need a perfect fit-up?: Yes, more than TIG. Gaps should be small, often under about 10–20% of the sheet thickness, or filler wire is needed.
Can laser welding join aluminium?: Yes, with enough power and the right settings, though aluminium is harder to laser weld than steel because it reflects the beam.

The figures on this page are typical values for guidance, written by Diemeco from standard engineering practice. They are not a specification: confirm grades and properties with the relevant standard or the supplier's mill test certificate, and tolerances with your workshop. Last checked 23 October 2026.