Abstract
Industrial solutions for joining of similar and, most recently, of dissimilar materials are increasingly based on hybrid laser-arc welding processes. To increase the understanding of the synergistic effects of such hybrid processes, it is necessary to investigate the interaction between laser beam and arc. For such investigations, a working head was developed which combines a Nd:YAG laser beam and a plasma arc in a coaxial way. With this equipment the interaction effects between laser and arc were investigated in dependence of laser power, focal position and arc current (AC mode). For process analysis, a high-speed-camera synchronized with a transient recorder (measuring arc current and voltage) was used. In the experimental series reported, an interaction between laser beam and plasma arc resulting in a constriction of weld bead and arc zone and a stabilisation of the foot point of the arc was observed for a wide range of parameter settings. Moreover, for a laser beam intensity exceeding approximately 6*105 W/cm2 and an AC current below 80 A, the effective arc voltage was significantly reduced. As a working hypothesis, this effect was attributed to the occurrence of laser-induced metal vapour at higher intensities.
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Thomy, C., Möller, F., Sepold, G. et al. Interaction between Laser Beam and Arc in Hybrid Welding Processes for Dissimilar Materials. Weld World 53, 58–66 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03266692
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03266692