Characteristics of CO{sub 2} laser welded high carbon steel gauge plate
- Univ. of Glasgow (United Kingdom)
The welding performance of CO{sub 2} lasers is strongly affected by the clamping geometry and welding speed. Moreover, the rapid cooling rate associated with laser welding results in an untempered martensitic structure can lead to brittle welds, and particularly for samples that are subject to cyclic loading, component fatigue and failure. To avoid this problem it is useful to optimize the laser operating parameters to reduce hardness discontinuities throughout the workpiece. An experimental investigation into the weld quality was performed to quantify the effects of clamping and translation velocity by examining the hardness characteristics, weld width and weld depth. A gauge plate, 2 mm thick, was welded with a 1 kW, CW, CO{sub 2} laser for a range of translation velocities between 800 and 1,500 mm per min, a He shielding was used at a pressure of 5 {times} 10{sup 4} Pa. Two weld geometries, namely clamped and unclamped, were considered. The clamped geometry gave improved hardness characteristics and a coarse grain structure. Whereas for the same operating conditions, the unclamped geometry gave a deeper weld penetration and wider weld width.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 452171
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Laser Applications, Journal Name: Journal of Laser Applications Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 9; ISSN JLAPEN; ISSN 1042-346X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Characteristics of Nd:YAG laser welded high carbon steels
The reliability of untempered end plug welds on HT9-clad IFR fuel elements