Improvement of laser keyhole formation with the assistance of arc plasma in the hybrid welding process of magnesium alloy

In the previous work, low-power laser/arc hybrid welding technique is used to weld magnesium alloy and high-quality weld joints are obtained. In order to make clear the interactions between low-power laser pulse and arc plasma, the effect of arc plasma on laser pulse is studied in this article. The result shows that the penetration of low-power laser welding with the assistance of TIG arc is more than two times deeper than that of laser welding alone and laser welding transforms from thermal-conduction mode to keyhole mode. The plasma behaviors and spectra during the welding process are studied, and the transition mechanism of laser-welding mode is analyzed in detail. It is also found that with the assistance of arc plasma, the threshold value of average power density to form keyhole welding for YAG laser is only 3.3×10⁴ W/cm², and the average peak power density is 2.6×10⁵ W/cm² in the present experiment. Moreover, the distribution of energy density during laser pulse is modulated to improve the formation and stability of laser keyholes.     

Influences of laser in low power YAG laser-MAG hybrid welding process

The influences of laser defocusing amount △z, laser power P, space distance DLA between laser and arc on weld penetration, arc modality and stability are investigated in low power YAG laser and metal active gas （laser-MAG） hybrid welding process. The experimental results indicate that the effects of laser-induced attraction and contraction of MAG arc are emerged in hybrid welding process, which result in the augmentation of hybrid welding energy. When DLA ： -0.5 - 2 mm, △z = -2 - 2 mm and P ≥ 73 W, the synergic efficiency between laser and MAG arc is obvious, the cross section at the root of hybrid arc is contracted and the hybrid weld penetration is increased. The maximal ratio of hybrid/MAG weld penetration is 1.5 and the lowest YAG laser power that augments MAG arc is 73 W. The input of YAG laser makes the stabilities of arc ignition and combustion prominent in hybrid welding process.     

基于光谱诊断的氩-氮P-TIG焊引弧的动态电弧物理特性研究

焊接电弧等离子体的物理特性直接决定了焊接接头的成形形貌,分析双组分保护气体的脉冲钨极惰性气体保护焊（P-TIG）动态电弧物理特性,为深入开展混合气体保护焊的焊缝成形物理过程研究提供理论基础。氩-氮混合气体保护焊电弧具有高热特性可以增加熔深,但在焊接前混合均匀的保护气体,引弧后气体浓度会重新分布,使电弧等离子体物理特性的实时动态变化特点变得复杂。光谱诊断是电弧等离子体物理特性测量的最重要手段,但对双组分气体保护的P-TIG焊电弧特性的研究仍需深入进行,特别是对于易引起缺陷的起弧过程,其动态物理特性亟需深入分析。针对氩-氮混合气体P-TIG焊的引弧过程,以P-TIG焊产生的氩-氮双组分电弧等离子体为研究对象,提出利用窄带滤光片与CCD相结合的高速摄影实验系统采集双组分电弧等离子的动态光谱信息,获取特征谱Ar Ⅰ 794.8 nm和N Ⅰ 904.6 nm的P-TIG焊电弧光谱强度动态分布;提出利用双元素双组分标准温度法计算P-TIG焊引弧过程中距离钨极下方1,2,3和4 mm位置处电弧等离子体的动态温度及浓度,定量分析80%Ar+20%N₂保护的P-TIG焊从引弧至电弧稳定过程的电弧等离子体物理特性实时分布。实验结果表明,80%Ar+20%N₂保护的P-TIG焊电弧强度、电弧温度及浓度的变化均与脉冲电流的变化同步,焊接电流在3 ms内达到稳定状态,而电弧等离子体的强度、温度及浓度需要更长时间达到平衡状态。从起弧到电弧等离子稳定燃烧的过程中,基值期间和峰值期间的电弧等离子体强度均呈现先升高再降低的趋势;由于阴极的热传导及电流密度的变化,使得电弧等离子体轴向位置的峰值温度及基值温度均出现迅速升高再缓慢降低的现象;由于粒子间碰撞及摩擦力的影响,使得电弧等离子体的峰值及基值期间氩的浓度均呈迅速减小再缓慢增加的趋势,且氩的浓度均低于焊前浓度。     

Influence of shielding gas pressure on welding characteristics in CO2 laser-MIG hybrid welding process

The droplet transfer behavior and weld characteristics have been investigated under different pressures of shielding gas in CO2 laser and metal inert/active gas (laser-MIG) hybrid welding process. The experimental results indicate that the inherent droplet transfer frequency and stable welding range of conventional MIG arc are changed due to the interaction between CO2 laser beam and MIG arc in laser-MIG hybrid welding process, and the shielding gas pressure has a crucial effect on welding characteristics. When the pressure of shielding gas is low in comparison with MIG welding, the frequency of droplet transfer decreases, and thedroplet transfer becomes unstable in laser-MIG hybrid welding. So the penetration depth decreases, which shows the characteristic of unstable hybrid welding. However, when the pressure of shielding gas increases to a critical value, the hybrid welding characteristic is changed from unstable hybrid welding to stablehybrid welding, and the frequency of droplet transfer and the penetration depth increase significantly.     

Analysis of droplet transfer mode and forming process of weld bead in CO2 laser–MAG hybrid welding process

In this paper, CO₂ laser–metal active gas (MAG) hybrid welding technique is used to weld high strength steel and the optimized process parameters are obtained. Using LD Pumped laser with an emission wavelength of 532 nm to overcome the strong interference from the welding arc, a computer-based system is developed to collect and visualize the waveforms of the electrical welding parameters and metal transfer processes in laser–MAG. The welding electric signals of hybrid welding processes are quantitatively described and analyzed using the ANALYSATOR HANNOVER. The effect of distance between laser and arc (D_LA) on weld bead geometry, forming process of weld shape, electric signals, arc characteristic and droplet transfer behavior is investigated. It is found that arc characteristic, droplet transfer mode and final weld bead geometry are strongly affected by the distance between laser and arc. The weld bead geometry is changed from “cocktail cup” to “cone-shaped” with the increasing D_LA. The droplet transfer mode is changed from globular transfer to projected transfer with the increasing D_LA. Projected transfer mode is an advantage for the stability of hybrid welding processes.     

An investigation on capability of hybrid Nd:YAG laser-TIG welding technology for AA2198 Al-Li alloy

This paper surveys the capability of the hybrid laser-arc welding in comparison with lone laser welding for AA2198 aluminum alloy experimentally. In the present research, a continuous Nd:YAG laser with a maximum power of 2000 W and a 350 A electric arc were used as two combined welding heat sources. In addition to the lone laser welding experiments, two strategies were examined for hybrid welding; the first one was low laser power (100 W) accompanied by high arc energy, and the second one was high laser power (2000 W) with low arc energy. Welding speed and arc current varied in the experiments. The influence of heat input on weld pool geometry was surveyed. The macrosection, microhardness profile and microstructure of the welded joints were studied and compared. The results indicated that in lone laser welding, conduction mode occurred and keyhole was not formed even in low welding speeds and thus the penetration depth was so low. It was also found that the second approach (high laser power accompanied with low arc energy) is superior to the first one (low laser power accompanied with high arc energy) in hybrid laser-arc welding of Al2198, since lower heat input was needed for full penetration weld and as a result a smaller HAZ was created.     

等离子弧焊接熔池演变过程的模拟和验证

本文建立了描述等离子弧焊接熔池相变传热与流动的三维数理模型,考虑表面张力、电磁力和浮升力的作用,并针对等离子弧焊接特点,改进组合式体积热源模型,上部采用双椭球热源,下部采用圆锥体热源。重点分析了焊接熔池形状和温度场的演变过程,熔合线的模拟形状与实验焊缝吻合,较好地呈现了焊缝的凸起和熔池宽度,验证了数学模型和热源模型的正确性。本文还进一步开展了焊接功率和焊接速度的影响分析。研究结果表明,流动对焊缝形状的影响不容忽略,而表面张力在三个流动驱动力中占主导地位;焊接功率越大,焊接速度越小,越有利于焊件焊透,数值模拟得到优化的焊接功率和速度有益于实际焊接生产质量及效率。     

Optimization of hybrid laser – TIG welding of 316LN steel using response surface methodology (RSM)

In the present study, the hybrid laser – TIG welding parameters for welding of 316LN austenitic stainless steel have been investigated by combining a pulsed laser beam with a TIG welding heat source at the weld pool. Laser power, pulse frequency, pulse duration, TIG current were presumed as the welding process parameters whereas weld bead width, weld cross-sectional area and depth of penetration (DOP) were considered as the process responses. Central composite design was used to complete the design matrix and welding experiments were conducted based on the design matrix. Weld bead measurements were then carried out to generate the dataset. Multiple regression models correlating the process parameters with the responses have been developed. The accuracy of the models were found to be good. Then, the desirability approach optimization technique was employed for determining the optimum process parameters to obtain the desired weld bead profile. Validation experiments were then carried out from the determined optimum process parameters. There was good agreement between the predicted and measured values.     

Process Window for Nd:YAG Laser Welding of Super Duplex Stainless Steel

Super duplex stainless steel (SDSS), an advanced duplex stainless steel with higher alloying concentration, is employed widely in acidic atmospheres. In this study, we make an attempt to develop a process window for the pulsed mode Nd:YAG laser welding of SDSS, as reference maps, to identify the range of process parameters viz., laser power, welding speed, defocusing distance, and pulse frequency for obtaining a defect free full penetration welds. The eminence of the welds, based on the macrostructure, microstructure, and tensile strength, is reported. We obtain a complete penetration weld devoid of undercut, crating at the top and minimum heat affected zone (HAZ) with a overlapping factor of 80–90% and heat input at 100–200 J/mm. The experimental settings prevailing inside the preferred region of the process window exhibit a higher tensile strength as well.     

Effects of relative positioning of energy sources on weld integrity for hybrid laser arc welding

This study is concerned with the effects of laser and arc arrangement on weld integrity for the hybrid laser arc welding processes. Experiments were conducted for a high-strength steel using a 4 kW Nd: YAG laser and a metal active gas (MAG) welding facility under two configurations of arc–laser hybrid welding (ALHW) and laser–arc hybrid welding (LAHW). Metallographic analysis and mechanical testing were performed to evaluate the weld integrity in terms of weld bead geometry, microstructure and mechanical properties. The morphology of the weld bead cross-section was studied and the typical macrostructure of the weld beads appeared to be cone-shaped and cocktail cup-shaped under ALHW and LAHW configurations, respectively. The weld integrity attributes of microstructure, phase constituents and microhardness were analyzed for different weld regions. The tensile and impact tests were performed and fracture surface morphology was analyzed by scanning electron microscope. The study showed that ALHW produced joints with a better weld shape and a more uniform microstructure of lath martensite, while LAHW weld had a heterogeneous structure of lath martensite and austenite.     

Analysis of hybrid Nd:Yag laser-MAG arc welding processes

In the hybrid laser-arc welding process, a laser beam and an electric arc are coupled in order to combine the advantages of both processes: high welding speed, low thermal load and high depth penetration thanks to the laser; less demanding on joint preparation/fit-up, typical of arc welding. Thus the hybrid laser-MIG/MAG (Metal Inert or Active Gas) arc welding has very interesting properties: the improvement of productivity results in higher welding speeds, thicker welded materials, joint fit-up allowance, better stability of molten pool and improvement of joint metallurgical quality. The understanding of the main relevant involved physical processes are therefore necessary if one wants for example elaborate adequate simulations of this process. Also, for an efficient use of this process, it is necessary to precisely understand the complex physical phenomena that govern this welding technique. This paper investigates the analysis of the effect of the main operating parameters for the laser alone, MAG alone and hybrid Laser/MAG welding processes. The use of a high speed video camera allows us to precisely characterize the melt pool 3D geometry such as the measurements of its depression and its length and the phenomena occurring inside the melt pool through keyhole-melt pool-droplet interaction. These experimental results will form a database that is used for the validation of a three-dimensional thermal model of the hybrid welding process for a rather wide range of operating parameters where the 3-D geometry of the melt pool is taken into account.     

5083铝合金光纤激光-TIG复合焊接工艺研究

采用IPG YLS-6000光纤激光器和Fronius MagicWave3000job数字化焊机,对4mm厚5083H116铝合金进行了复合焊接试验。研究了电源特性、电流大小和热源间距等工艺参数对光纤激光-钨极惰性气体保护焊(TIG)复合焊接焊缝成形的影响规律,并分析了焊接接头的缺陷、显微硬度及力学性能。结果表明,光纤激光-TIG复合焊接5083铝合金,能够明显改善焊缝成形,提高焊接过程稳定性,特别是与变极性TIG电弧复合效果更为显著;光纤激光与变极性TIG电弧复合焊接,采用激光在前的方式,电弧电流150A,且热源间距不大于4mm,可以得到具有明亮金属光泽和均匀鱼鳞纹的焊缝,焊缝无气孔和裂纹缺陷,其表面有少量的下凹;复合焊接接头抗拉强度为318MPa,达到母材强度的93%,延伸率为7.6%,高于单光纤激光焊接,断口分析为韧性断裂。     

活性剂等离子弧焊焊接电弧的光谱与热分析

针对活性剂等离子弧焊焊接过程,利用光谱分析方法对活性剂等离子弧焊焊接电弧进行光谱分析,采用红外热像伪着色法测定活性剂等离子弧焊焊接电弧温度场,并建立活性剂等离子弧焊焊接电弧热流密度径向分布模型,对焊接电弧的成分及焊接电弧温度场进行了研究。研究结果表明,常规等离子焊焊接电弧以氩原子和氩一次电离离子的谱线为主,金属蒸气谱线不突出,焊接电弧以气体粒子为主,属于气体电弧;活性剂等离子弧焊焊接电弧的光谱中氩原子及氩一次离子谱线的辐射强度增强,Ti,Cr,Fe金属谱线大量涌现;活性剂等离子弧焊焊接电弧的温度分布比较紧凑,温度场外形窄,温度分布范围较集中,电弧径向温度梯度较大;电弧径向温度分布呈现正态Gauss分布模式。     

The influence of laser pulse waveform on laser-TIG hybrid welding of AZ31B magnesium alloy

By dividing laser pulse duration into two parts, three kinds of laser waveforms are designed, including a high power density pulse (HPDP) laser in a short duration set at the beginning of the laser waveform. This paper aims to find out the laser pulse waveform and idiographic critical values of HPDP, which can affect the magnesium penetration in laser-tungsten inert gas (TIG) hybrid welding. Results show that when the laser pulse duration of HPDP is not more than 0.4 ms, the welding penetration values of lasers with HPDP are larger than otherwise. Also, the welding penetration values of laser with HPDP have increased by up to 26.1%. It has been found that with HPDP, the laser can form the keyhole more easily because the interaction between laser and the plate is changed, when the TIG arc preheats the plate. Besides, the laser with high power density and short duration strikes on the plates so heavily that the corresponding background power can penetrate into the bottom of the keyhole and maintain the keyhole open, which facilitates the final welding penetration.     

极性对自保护药芯焊丝电弧焊光谱特征的影响

由于自保护药芯焊丝具有抗风性以及优异的焊缝性能,已广泛应用于野外管道焊接以及大型机械的修复过程。电极极性是影响焊接过程的重要工艺参数。为了研究电极极性对电弧等离子体的影响机理,设计电弧等离子体空域中各点逐步扫描的同步采集系统,通过光谱特征谱线的分析,采用Stark谱线轮廓法计算电子密度,并且基于Boltzmann作图法计算电弧等离子体的温度,同时针对Al和Mg活性元素的分布特征进行分析。结果表明,靠近电极处,沿y轴负方向,直流正接时（焊丝接电源负极性）,弧柱中心区电弧电子密度、电弧温度和活性元素呈现“水滴状”分布。而直流反接时（焊丝接电源正极性）,弧柱中心区电弧电子密度、电弧温度和活性元素的分布特征表现为“手指状”分布。根据“自磁收缩”的原理,直流正接条件下,活性元素在径向方向受到的电磁力较小,整体分布呈现发散状。直流反接条件下,活性元素在径向方向受到的电磁力较大,收缩较为严重,整体表现为收缩状态。采用相同的电参数时,直流反接条件下弧柱中心区的电弧电子密度、电弧温度均大于直流正接条件下得到的电子密度和电弧温度,其中电子密度分布特征和带电粒子的电离程度是影响电弧温度的主要因素。在相同的电极极性下,随着电流、电压的增大,电弧等离子体的温度和电子密度都在显著增大。     

高温合金活性剂激光微焊接接头的组织性能研究

采用配方均匀设计法,配制了SiO2-MnO2-CaO-TiO2-CaF2-NaF多组元活性剂,利用微型脉冲激光器对500 m厚GH4169高温合金进行了活性剂激光焊接试验。分析并讨论了焊接接头的显微组织和力学性能。试验结果表明,与传统激光焊相比,所配制的20种活性剂均增加了焊缝熔深,并且其中F12系混合活性剂增加熔深能力最为显著,使焊缝深宽比增加了159%,证明通过使用活性剂来增加微激光焊焊缝熔深,降低高温合金板激光焊接的成本是可行的。在活性剂作用下,焊缝显微组织仍由柱状晶和等轴晶组成,接头抗拉强度达到927 MPa,为母材强度的92.7%。     

激光—双丝复合焊接电弧等离子体温度计算及耦合机理分析

采用光纤式光谱仪,对激光—双丝脉冲MIG复合焊接电弧等离子体辐射规律进行探讨,结合焊接过程中的高速摄像图片探讨激光与电弧的耦合机理,并运用Boltzmann图法计算出电弧等离子体的电子温度。结果表明,加入激光后,电弧的亮度提高,辐射增强,电弧偏向激光作用位置,同时电弧收紧,电弧截面减小,电弧稳定性增强;激光功率、焊接电流和焊丝间距对电弧等离子体温度有比较大的影响,随着激光功率的增加、焊接电流增大和焊丝间距的减小,电弧等离子体电子温度升高。     

Analysis of plasma characteristics and conductive mechanism of laser assisted pulsed arc welding

This study aims to investigate the arc plasma shape and the spectral characteristics during the laser assisted pulsed arc welding process. The arc plasma shape was synchronously observed using a high speed camera, and the emission spectrum of plasma was obtained by spectrometer. The well-known Boltzmann plot method and Stark broadening were used to calculate the electron temperature and density respectively. The conductive mechanism of arc ignition in laser assisted arc hybrid welding was investigated, and it was found that the plasma current moved to the arc anode under the action of electric field. Thus, a significant parabolic channel was formed between the keyhole and the wire tip. This channel became the main method of energy transformation between the arc and the molten pool. The calculation results of plasma resistivity show that the laser plasma has low resistivity as the starting point of conductive channel formation. When the laser pulse duration increases, the intensity of the plasma radiation spectrum and the plasma electron density will increase, and the electron temperature will decrease.     

激光深熔焊焊缝表面形状的影响因素

从理论和实验两方面研究了各种物理和工艺参数对激光深熔焊焊疑表面形状的影响,并对改善表面质量的激光焊接工艺提出了建议。     

Characterization of Kovar-to-Kovar laser welded joints and its mechanical strength

For the packaging of a pump laser in butterfly package, the most crucial assembly step is the fiber-to-laser diode coupling and attachment. The use of laser welding as the joining method offers several advantages if compared with the adhesive joints: strong joining strength, short process time and less contamination. This paper reports on laser welding process characteristics; weld strength and its fracture mode. The penetration depth and melt area of laser spot welds were found to be complicated functions of laser pulse energy, intensity, and beam diameter. Effects of pulse width, input power and size of the focal spot on the rate of energy input to the workpieces and consequently, the weld strength were reported. The weld strength was found to be dependent on the overlapping area between the two joining materials. Surface roughness, R_a, has influence on the fraction of energy absorbed, A, and therefore, affecting the penetration depth. Thermal analysis was carried out on the laser-welded joints and its heat-affected zone (HAZ) induced by various power densities was examined. These data are important in order to optimize and utilize the laser welding process as an effective manufacturing tool for fabrication of reliable pump laser.