Product Code: ICAL09_102

Diffusible Hydrogen Characteristics of Hybrid Laser Arc Welding (HLAW)
Authors:
Paul A. Blomquist, Applied Thermal Sciences, Inc.; Sanford ME USA
Stanley E. Ferree, ESAB Welding and Cutting Products; - USA
Brian M. Marx, Concurrent Technologies Corp; - USA
Presented at ICALEO 2009

With the increased interest in Hybrid Laser Arc Welding (HLAW) in the U.S., the process is being certified for use on increasingly higher strength steels. The addition of the laser to the traditional Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) process results in a higher total melt volume than that of the GMAW process alone. Studies of hydrogen content of HLAW welds were carried out in which comparisons were made among HLAW, autogenous Laser Beam Welding (LBW) and conventional GMAW. All testing was performed in accordance with AWS A4.3 using traditional ordinary strength steel coupons. Additional work has been performed to evaluate diffusible hydrogen results in the context of total melt volume versus merely added weight of weld metal. Preliminary findings show that the HLAW process results in low levels of diffusible hydrogen in the welds and that the LBW process contributes little to the total hydrogen in the weld pass. Work is continuing on this research and more data will be available in the fall.
This abstract was prepared by the Navy Metalworking Center, operated by Concurrent Technologies Corporation, under Contract No. N00014-06-D-0048 to the Office of Naval Research as part of the Navy ManTech Program. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.