Citation:
W. Suder, S. Ganguly, S. Williams, A.M. Paradowska, P. Colegrove. Comparison of joining efficiency and residual stresses in laser and laser hybrid welding. Science and Technology of Welding and Joining. Vol. 16, No. 3. April 2011, pp244-248
Abstract:
Laser welding is a high energy density process, which can produce welds with
less energy input and thereby lower residual stress generation compared to arc
welding processes. However, the narrow beam dimension makes it extremely
sensitive in terms of fit up tolerance. This causes a problem in achieving high
quality welds. Laser with arc hybrid process overcomes such issues. In this
paper, longitudinal residual strains were compared for autogenous laser welding
and laser/TIG hybrid processes. Joining efficiency, which is defined by the
penetration depth achieved per unit of energy input, was correlated with the
residual strain generation. It has been shown that to achieve a specific
penetration depth, there is an optimum welding condition for each of the welding
processes, which will give minimum tensile residual stress generation. The
results imply that for the same penetration depth, hybrid process resulted in
similar to 50% higher tensile longitudinal domain compared to autogenous laser.