Elucidation of phenomena in high-power fiber laser welding and development of prevention procedures of welding defects

Fiber lasers have been receiving considerable attention because of their advantages of high power, high beam quality and high efficiency, and are expected as one of the desirable heat sources for high-speed and deep-penetration welding. In our researches, therefore, the effects of laser powers and their densities on the weld penetration and the formation of sound welds were investigated in welding of Type 304 austenitic stainless steel, A5052 aluminum alloy or high strength steel plates with four laser beams of about 0.12 to 1 mm in focused spot diameter, and their welding phenomena were observed with high-speed video cameras and X-ray transmission real-time imaging system. It was found that the laser power density exerted a remarkable effect on the increase in weld penetration at higher welding speeds, but on the other hand at low welding speeds deeper-penetration welds could be produced at higher power. Laser-induced plume behavior and its effect on weld penetration, and the mechanisms of spattering, underfilling, porosity and humping were elucidated, sound welds without welding defects could be produced under the improved welding conditions. In addition, importance of the development of focusing optics and the removal of a plume during remote welding will be emphasized in terms of the stable production of constant deep-penetration welds and the reduction in welding defects in high power laser welding.