Low-spatter high speed welding by use of local shielding gas flows

Leander Schmidt; Steen Hickethier; Klaus Schricker; Jean Pierre Bergmann

doi:10.1117/12.2507024

27 February 2019 Low-spatter high speed welding by use of local shielding gas flows

Leander Schmidt, Steen Hickethier, Klaus Schricker, Jean Pierre Bergmann

Proceedings Volume 10911, High-Power Laser Materials Processing: Applications, Diagnostics, and Systems VIII; 109110V (2019) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2507024
Event: SPIE LASE, 2019, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Spatter formation is a major issue in deep penetration welding with solid state lasers at high welding speeds from 8 up to 20 m/min. One approach to describe spatter formation is based on the assumption of an unstable keyhole. This leads to a temporary constriction of the keyhole due to the melt pool whereby the keyhole pressure increases. Finally, the keyhole collapses and spattering occurs. Therefore, the stabilization of the capillary is a possible way to limit spatter formation. For this purpose, several potential solutions have been tested in the past. However, investigations regarding a precisely local adjustable shielding gas flow on the keyhole stability under the condition of high welding speeds (≥ 8 m/min) is not given in the state of the art yet. To investigate these interactions, a shielding gas supply was developed, which can be adjusted in four axes with a reproducibility of 0.02 mm. Furthermore, the assembly was provided with a coaxial alignment laser for determining the interaction region of the gas. Under the processing of stainless steel (1.4301), different flow rates of argon, helium and nitrogen were tested. Additionally, Schlieren videography was used to visualize the gas flow. The spatial orientation has been varied in angles from 20° up to 48°. The experiments were recorded by means of HV-camera and subsequently analyzed by image processing (number, velocity and trajectory of spatters). Thereby, it was possible to reduce spattering by up to 91 % at welding speeds of up to 16 m/min.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Leander Schmidt, Steen Hickethier, Klaus Schricker, and Jean Pierre Bergmann "Low-spatter high speed welding by use of local shielding gas flows", Proc. SPIE 10911, High-Power Laser Materials Processing: Applications, Diagnostics, and Systems VIII, 109110V (27 February 2019); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2507024

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available