Laser welding is a widely used joining technique used to join materials together by using a laser as a heat source. The laser is focussed onto the substrate material creating a concentrated heat source in order to melt and fuse material together.
Lasers with power densities in the order of 103-106 W/mm2 produce a keyholing action. A 'keyhole' is produced when laser welding metal, a column of ionised metal vapour forms below the beam impingement point, absorbing the incoming laser energy. This can be used to make narrow, deep welds and cuts with very little heat input or alternatively, it can be used for very fast processing of thin sheets. This 'keyhole' welding process is more efficient than a process where the weld shape is governed by thermal conduction.
Laser welding is a versatile process and can be used to weld a variety of materials including, carbon steel, stainless steel, titanium, aluminium, nickel alloys and plastics. Lasers are often used in high volume production applications as they have high welding speeds and the level of automation that allows 24 hours a day operation.
Advantages of Laser Welding
- Deep narrow welds
- Low heat input
- Minimal distortion
- High joint completion rates
- Joint design flexibility
- Minimal use of consumable
- Ease of automation
- Atheistically pleasing welds
Applications of Laser Welding
- Tailored blanks for the automotive industry
- Thick section welding
- Thin section welding
- Lightweight car components
- Airframe structures
- Shipbuilding industry
For more information please contact: lasers@twi.co.uk