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Laser beam welding under vacuum of high grade materials

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Abstract

Currently, three welding processes are used in the manufacturing of large scale work pieces with high weld seam depths. The gas metal arc welding and the submerged arc welding processes are characterized by a comparatively low penetration depth and welding speed, the use of welding consumables and a high energy input per length. Electron beam welding is suitable for single pass welding of high wall thicknesses, but a fine vacuum is needed, x-ray radiation is generated, the process is prone to magnetic fields, and the technology has to face a low market penetration. Laser beam welding under vacuum (“LaVa”) is on its way to become a new and superb option for these welding tasks. The paper at hand presents the latest results of a research project which targets the qualification of LaVa for the welding of heavy-walled steel structures made of unalloyed steel or duplex stainless steel. The achieved results demonstrate that, in comparison to laser beam welding at atmospheric pressure, an increase of the penetration depth and a high process stability can be achieved, whereby economic advantages and a high weld seam quality are realized. On the other hand, the latest results of the application of LaVa for the welding of nickel-base alloys, copper, and titanium are presented. It is shown that LaVa is suitable for the welding of these materials. A high process stability is achieved; spattering is minimized; and high penetration depths are achieved.

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Acknowledgments

The Welding and Joining Institute of the RWTH Aachen University wishes to thank all participating partners from the industry for their support. The IGF project 17780 N of the Research Association Forschungsvereinigung Stahlanwendung e.V. (FOSTA), Sohnstraße 65, 40237 Düsseldorf and the IGF project 18707 N of the Research Association Schweißen und verwandte Verfahren e. V. (DVS), Aachener Straße 172, 40223 Düsseldorf, have been supported via the AIF e.V. within the framework of the program to promote the industrial joint research and development (IGF) by the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy on basis of a decision by the German Bundestag

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ISF Welding and Joining Institute, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

    Uwe Reisgen, Simon Olschok, Stefan Jakobs & Christoph Turner

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  1. Uwe Reisgen
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  2. Simon Olschok
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  3. Stefan Jakobs
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  4. Christoph Turner
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Correspondence to Christoph Turner.

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Recommended for publication by Commission IV - Power Beam Processes

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Reisgen, U., Olschok, S., Jakobs, S. et al. Laser beam welding under vacuum of high grade materials. Weld World 60, 403–413 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40194-016-0302-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40194-016-0302-3

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