Product Code: ICAL06_1903

Production of Sound Deep-Penetration Hybrid Weld in Aluminum Alloy with YAG Laser and MIG Arc
Authors:
Satoru Uchiumi, Osaka University, JWRI; Ibaraki, Osaka Japan
Seiji Katayama, Osaka University, JWRI; Ibaraki, Osaka Japan
Francis Briand, Air Liquide; I'Aumone France
Presented at ICALEO 2006

Hybrid welding is receiving considerable attention and is used in practical lines. And so YAG laser and MIG arc hybrid welding was performed on aluminum alloy to investigate the effects of various welding conditions on penetration and defect formation. In the case of YAG-MIG (laser-head-leading) hybrid welding, the surfaces of weld beads were by far prettier. The optimum distances between the laser-focused point and the MIG wire target for deeper penetration were about 2 to 4 mm, and the reason was interpreted in terms of the interaction of a laser beam to droplet, molten pool or solid plate. The penetration increased but porosity was reduced with the increase in MIG arc current. These reasons were attributed to the formation of a concave molten pool surface due to high arc pressure. In the case of MIG-YAG (MIG-nozzle-leading) hybrid welding, deeper welds were formed especially at high laser power. A large amount of porosity was formed in the case of the laser beam shot perpendicularly. Such porosity was reduced by declining a laser beam just like the forehand welding, and sound deep weld beads could be produced in MIG-YAG hybrid welding.