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Effect of laser on droplet transfer and welding process stability in hybrid laser + double arc welding

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Abstract

A novel triple-heat-source welding system including two pulsed MIG arcs and a laser beam entitled hybrid laser + double arc welding (HLDAW) is proposed in this study. Compared with hybrid laser + arc welding, the efficiency and gap tolerance are obviously improved. And meanwhile, hybrid laser + double arc welding can overcome problem of interference between the two arcs commonly encountered during double arc welding (DAW). This research is mainly focused on the underlying physical phenomena of the novel welding method especially the coupling mechanism of the three heat sources by exploiting high-speed imaging and welding electrical signals collecting, and the weld formation and microstructure were analyzed also. The obtained results point out that laser had obvious effect on droplet transfer and welding process stability. The short circuit frequency decreased and the stability of welding process was improved especially in high-speed welding after laser addition. Droplet transfer frequency was reduced and the diameter of droplet decreased in HLDAW compared with DAW. The weld appearance was improved significantly and weld penetration increased with the laser power. The welding speed improved by 25 % in HLDAW in comparison to DAW under the condition of obtaining the same penetration. HLDAW allows for the use of significantly higher welding velocities, acquires deeper penetrations, and obtains fine organization and more superior performance than possible with DAW alone.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Welding Technology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, 212003, China

    Xiaoyan Gu, Xiaobao Jiang, Hongchao Sheng & Xueming Wan

  2. Tianjin Key Laboratory of Advanced Joining Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China

    Huan Li

Authors
  1. Xiaoyan Gu
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  2. Huan Li
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  3. Xiaobao Jiang
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  4. Hongchao Sheng
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  5. Xueming Wan
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Correspondence to Xiaoyan Gu.

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Gu, X., Li, H., Jiang, X. et al. Effect of laser on droplet transfer and welding process stability in hybrid laser + double arc welding. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 89, 2981–2991 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-016-9253-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-016-9253-5

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