Fundamentals of metals joining with lasers
The intrinsic characteristic of a laser as a metals joining heat source is high intensity (high irradiance). Other advantages stem from the ability to optically manipulate the beam and the inertness of light. Optimal application of laser technology to metals joining is supported by a fundamental understanding of the physics of the process. The interaction of the laser beam with metals is highly materials and process dependent. Metals joining with lasers in a absence of an understanding of beam-materials interactions would appear to be a highly unpredictable process. This is because of the complexity of beam-material interactions. For example, absorptivity varies by more than an order of magnitude as a function of alloy, temperature, oxide thickness, and laser wavelength. Also, in most laser welding and brazing processing, evaporation of metal creates a significant plume, and beam-plume interactions can markedly alter the spatial distribution of energy at the plume-metal interface. The probability of the beam being absorbed by the plume increases with the square of the wavelength, whereas the propensity for scattering of the beam by particles in the beam is inversely proportional to wavelength. Also, the beam can be refracted due to thermal and compositional gradients in the plume. In selecting a laser process for a given application, understanding each of these physical effects and others is helpful. In many ways, the physics of metals joining with lasers is only qualitatively understood at the present time. This paper overviews the present understanding of the process and identifies areas where research is required to clarify our process understanding.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 5239425
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-91-0032C; CONF-911003-17; ON: DE92000789
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Fall meeting of the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society of AIME and Materials Week of the American Society of Metals, Cincinnati, OH (United States), 20-24 Oct 1991
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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