6061 aluminum alloy sheets were I-square butt welded using a continuous wave Nd:YAC laser. Heat inputs were varied from 54.6 to 80 J/mm for butt welding using different sets of the laser power and the weld speed. I-square butt welds were also made with and without Ar shielding gas. The effect of Ar shielding gas and heat input on the mechanical properties and formability was investigated using Vickers hardness, transverse-weld tensile and bulge test. Porosity on the weld beads and sections and hot crack on the fracture surfaces of transverse-weld tensile test specimens were investigated using optical and scanning electron microscopy The experimental results showed that mechanical properties and formability of 6061 aluminum alloy laser welds were degraded compared to those of base metal. Mechanical properties and formability of 6061 aluminum alloy laser welds were not substantially changed when Ar shielding gas was supplied or heat inputs were varied.