TWI Industrial Member Report Summary 400/1989
By S C Kennedy and I M Norris
Scope
Trials have been carried out to characterise the welding performance of a prototype high power pulsed Nd-YAG laser.
The influence of laser parameters such as pulse duration and pulse energy and of welding speed, focused beam diameter and position of focus on melt run penetration and profile has been studied in stainless steel. In addition, the mechanism of welding has been investigated by detailed metallographic examination of melt runs made in a structural steel.
Using the experience gained in welding stainless steels, a series of application trials have been conducted on materials, which are difficult to weld using alternative processes or on joint configurations which present practical problems for existing welding techniques.
In particular, application trials have been conducted on automobile body steel sheet (uncoated and zinc-coated), aluminium alloy sheet and stainless steel tube to tubeplate joints.