Product Code: ICAL06_1904

Observation of the Phenomena of CO2 Laser-MAG Hybrid Welding
Authors:
Anna Fellman, LUT; Lappeenranta Finland
Antti Salminen, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Laser processing laboratory; Lappeenranta Finland
Presented at ICALEO 2006

Laser hybrid welding combines laser and arc process to one process that has some advantages over both of the basic processes. The main advantage is the relief to the tolerances of laser welding. When this is combined with the advantages of laser welding, the hybrid welding process becomes an interesting solution for manufacturers of large products for improving their productivity. There have been many different assumptions made about the phenomena occurring during hybrid welding. This study utilizes special videographing system capable to provide a clear view of the hybrid welding process and the base material surrounding it. The pictures taken from CO2 laser hybrid welding process show that some of the earlier assumptions are correct. In the study a set of parameters of laser hybrid process were as variables and the effects of the variations on the process were observed. The quality of the resulting welds was studied by visual and macrographic examination of the welds. It was seen clearly that when those two processes are close enough to each other the arc is aimed towards the laser beam and keyhole and the processes are acting together. The airgap in the joint helps the interaction between the processes, since in such a case the arc turns more efficiently towards the laser beam and keyhole. It was also possible to see the changes in process stability and the formation of some of the weld defects.