Parameter Influence in CO2-laser/MIG Hybrid Welding
Hybrid welding, as the combination of laser beam and arc welding, is an innovative joining technology that has many advantages compared to the single processes. With the hybrid process joint gap ca ...
Innovative hybrid welding process in an industrial application
Joining of metallic materials by the application of hybrid welding techniques meanwhile has been brought to several industrial applications. This contribution reports basics and practical experiences on hybrid welding of the combined procedures Metal Inert Gas Welding (MIG) and Laser Beam Welding (CO2). The hybrid welding process was developed for an industrial application for joining oil vessels as a replacement for conventional welding. By the use of conventional welding it was necessary to weld the material from both sides. Using the hybrid process only one-pass welding from the upper side is required. The material applied was S235JR (DIN EN 10025) at material thicknesses between 5 and 9 mm.The following technological and economical advantages will be discussed: improved gap filling and better weld seam appearance high-quality treatment of weld material enhanced process efficiency improved productivity by realization of higher welding speeds reduced operating costs concerning energy input Joining of metallic materials by the application of hybrid welding techniques meanwhile has been brought to several industrial applications. This contribution reports basics and practical experiences on hybrid welding of the combined procedures Metal Inert Gas Welding (MIG) and Laser Beam Welding (CO2). The hybrid welding process was developed for an industrial application for joining oil vessels as a replacement for conventional welding. By the use of conventional welding it was necessary to weld the material from both sides. Using the hybrid process only one-pass welding from the upper side is required. The material applied was S235JR (DIN EN 10025) at material thicknesses between 5 and 9 mm.The following technological and economical advantages will be discussed: improved gap filling and better weld seam appearance high-quality treatment of weld material enhanced process efficiency improved productivity by realization of higher welding speeds reduced operating costs concerning energy input
Laser welding of thick structural steels
Experiments to determine process conditions for laser welding of thick structural steels are reported. Materials tested were: Domex 355, 460, 600 and 390, high strength, cold forming, microalloyed steels, 8-12 mm thickness; Weldox 960 high strength structural steel, 10 mm thickness; and Hardox 400 wear resistant steel, 10-15 mm thickness. Tests were performed using 12 and 17 kW lasers, with milled or laser cut edge preparation, various butt joint preparations, using autogenous and filler wire welding. Weld shape, microstructure and hardness, torsion fatigue strength, process envelopes for avoidance of solidification defects and laser optics requirements are reported.