Plasma augmented laser welding of 6 mm steel plate

Authors: Swanson, P.T.; Page, C.J.; Read, E.; Wu, H.Z.

Source: Science and Technology of Welding & Joining, Volume 12, Number 2, February 2007 , pp. 153-160(8)

Purchase options

The full text electronic article is available for purchase. You will be able to download the full text electronic article after payment.

$41.00 plus tax Refund Policy

More about this publication?

Now online only

Authors wishing to cite fast track papers should give the journal name and the article DOI. This will enable reference linking via CrossRef and allow forward and backward citation tracking systems to associate the fast track citation with the final journal reference.
Editorial Board
Information for Authors
Subscribe to this Title
Terms & Conditions
Online submission site

More like this?

In this: publication
By this: publisher
In this Subject: Materials & Manufacturing , Mining & Metallurgy
By this author: Swanson, P.T. ; Page, C.J. ; Read, E. ; Wu, H.Z.

Content Key:

- Free

- New

- Open Access

- Subscribed

- Free Trial

Abstract:

A hybrid laser arc welding system incorporating a plasma arc in a triangulated configuration (plasma augmented laser welding - PALW) was used to produce bead on plate welds in 6 mm low carbon steel. Laser powers up to 5 kW and arc currents up to 150 A were investigated. Plasma augmented laser welding allowed an increase in full penetration welding speed of 100% or an increase in penetration of between 25 and 100%, compared with the laser alone. At speeds of 2 m min⁻¹ and above, PALW and laser alone were found to be equal with respect to fusion zone area per kW (mm² kW⁻¹). Plasma augmented laser welding was equivalent in terms of welding energy utilisation (mm³ J⁻¹ of fusion zone) at 2 m min⁻¹ and superior above 2 m min⁻¹. Full penetrating PALW allows significant energy losses via the keyhole root exit. Only when the keyhole root closes can the full benefits of the hybrid process be manifested in the workpiece.

Keywords: PLASMA AUGMENTED LASER; KEYHOLE; INVERSE BREMSSTRAHLUNG; ENERGY UTILISATION

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1179/174329307X164283