Numerical simulation and experimental study of hybrid laser-electric arc welding between dissimilar Mg alloys

This work aims to establish a suitable numerical simulation model for hybrid laser-electric arc heat source welding of dissimilar Mg alloys between AZ31 and AZ80. Based on the energy conservation law and Fourier’s law of heat conduction, the differential equations of the three-dimensional temperature field for nonlinear transient heat conduction are built. According to the analysis of nonlinear transient heat transfer, the equations representing initial conditions and boundary conditions are obtained. The “double ellipsoidal heat source + 3D Gaussian heat source”combination was chosen to construct the laser-electric arc hybrid heat source. The weld bead morphologies and the distribution of temperature, stress, displacement and plastic strains are numerically simulated. The actual welding experiments were performed by a hybrid laser-electric arc welding machine. The interaction mechanism between laser and electric arc in the hybrid welding of Mg alloys is discussed in detail. The hybrid heat source can promote the absorption of laser energy and electric arc in the molten pool, resulting in more uniform energy distribution in the molten pool and the corresponding improvement of welding parameters. This work can provide theoretical guidance and data supports for the optimization of the hybrid laser-electric arc welding processes for Mg alloys.

Research on laser-arc hybrid welding technology for long-distance pipeline construction

In recent years, the research on pipeline laser-arc hybrid welding technology has been the important and difficult in the field of welding all over the world. China Petroleum Pipeline Research Institute Co. Ltd. has firstly developed pipeline laser-arc hybrid welding system in China, and executed the welding tests based on X70/X80 steel. Preliminary experiment results showed that hybrid welding could meet the requirements of related standards such as API1104,ASME,etc., the mechanical properties of girth seam are qualified in the case that there were no internal defects. With the development of high-power fiber laser and the continuous improvement of welding equipment, laser-arc hybrid welding technology for pipeline field welding will be available soon.

Hybrid Visual Servoing Control for Robotic Arc Welding Based on Structured Light Vision

A novel hybrid visual servoing control method based on structured light vision is pro-posed for robotic arc welding with a general six degrees of freedom robot. It consists of a positioncontrol inner-loop in Cartesian space and two outer-loops. One is position-based visual control inCartesian space for moving in the direction of weld seam, i.e., weld seam tracking, another is image-based visual control in image space for adjustment to eliminate the errors in the process of tracking.A new Jacobian matrix from image space of the feature point on structured light stripe to Cartesianspace is provided for dierential movement of the end-e?ector. The control system model is simplifiedand its stability is discussed. An experiment of arc welding protected by gas CO2 for verifying iswell conducted.

Influence of laser on arcs in alternate arcing during laser-twin-arc hybrid welding process

In this study, multi-information including spectrum, high-speed photograph and electrical signal was adopted to explore the coupling mechanism of alternate burning in laser-twin-arc welding process. Laser provides a conductive, stable plasma channel for arcs. Plasma radiation strengthened especially in the center of the arc after hybrid. High temperature plasma erupting from keyhole provides an upward reacting force which can prevent droplet from transfer. The charged particles consisted in high temperature plasma reduce the voltage that maintains arc ignition or burning. The results show that laser can influence the arc shape, prevent droplet transfer, reduce resistivity and stabilize arcs.

Low-power YAG laser/arc hybrid welding of AZ-based Mg alloy

The results of recent researches on the weldability of laser/arc hybrid welding of AZ-based Mg alloy was presented.Experiments were conducted with a low-power(500 W) Nd:YAG laser and a TIG arc.The synergic effects and mechanical properties of the Mg joints by laser/arc hybrid welding were investigated,and the interaction mechanism of laser to arc was also discussed.The results show that Mg alloys can be easily welded in similar and dissimilar joints by laser/arc hybrid welding technique.With the arc power increasing,a higher weld depth is obtained,and the weld depths for laser and arc acting in combination(laser/arc) are two times higher than that of the total of laser and arc acting separately(laser+arc) in optimal conditions.The tensile strength and fatigue strength of the AZ31B joints welded by laser/arc hybrid process are equivalent to that of the based metal.Besides,the laser-induced plume/plasma images captured by high speed camera were used to study the interaction between laser beam and arc.

Effect of laser power on metal transfer in laser-double arcs P-MAG hybrid welding with single power source

The effect of laser power on metal transfer is studied under conditions of alternating combustion of double arcs in order to develop the welding process of the laser-double arcs pulsed metal active gas （P-MAG） hybrid welding with single power. Different laser power corresponds to different interactive mechanisms of laser and arc and to different methods of metal transfer in the hybrid welding. When the laser power ascends from 500 W to 1 500 W, the methods of metal transfer change from the complex transfer of one droplet per pulse, one droplet two pulses and one droplet much more pulses during the mixture of globular and projected transfer of the lead wire, and from one droplet two pulses and one droplet three pulses during globular transfer of the follow wire to the methods of the metal transfer of both lead wire and follow wire are stable one droplet two pulses and one droplet three pulses when the metal transfer is mainly globular. The arc sharps and pressure of droplet are altered with the laser power changing. The compression of the arcs is strengthened by the laser and the offset of the center of droplet mass is much more obvious with the increasing of the laser power.

Experimental study on gas metal arc welding and laser hybrid welding of WYS700 steel

Gas metal arc welding, laser welding, and laser-metal active gas welding(MAG) hybrid welding methods were applied to WYS700 steel.Different welding procedures were performed and different welding technologies were compared.Macro metallographs of the welded joints were obtained, and the mechanical properties(such as tensile strength, bending property, and hardness) of the joints formed using the different welding technologies were determined.The results revealed that the joint of the WYS700 steel could be formed well through gas metal arc welding, laser welding, and laser-MAG hybrid welding.Furthermore, the softening of the welding heat affected zone can be effectively reduced to obtain good strength and plasticity by using a suitable welding procedure.Laser-MAG hybrid welding allows the realization of high efficiency and deep penetration for the welding of thick plates with specifications above 3 mm.

Numerical simulation of temperature field in laser-arc hybrid welding of wear-resistant steel

Using ABAQUS software and cylindrical ellipsoid and body heat sources with a peak-heat-flux- attenuation function, a finite element model of the temperature field in the laser-arc hybrid welding of 4.5-mm BW300TP wear-resistant steel is proposed. The proposed model considers convection, radiation, molten pool flow, and heat conduction effect on temperature. A comparison of the simulation and actual welding test results confirms the reliability of the model. This welding heat-process model can provide the cooling rate at any position in the heat affected zone （HAZ） and can be used as a reference for the analysis of material properties and for process optimization.

Effects of pulse parameters on arc characteristics and weld penetration in hybrid pulse VP-GTAW of aluminum alloy

A novel ultrafast-convert hybrid pulse variable polarity gas tungsten arc welding process （HPVP-GTAW） is developed. High frequency pulse square-wave current which has a frequency of more than 20 kHz is exactly integrated in the positive polarity current duration. The effects of pulse current parameters on arc characteristics and weld penetration have been studied during the HPVP-GTAW process using Al-5. 8 Mg alloy plates. The arc characteristics studied by arc voltage and its profile, weld penetration noted by the ratio of weld depth to width have been found to be influenced significantly by the pulse current. The experimental results show that the HPVP-GTA W process can improve the arc profile predominantly and obtain the higher weld penetration with lower heat input. The observation may help in understanding the weld characteristics with respect to variation in the pulse current parameters which may be beneficial in using the novel HPVP-GTAW process to produce the better weld quality of aluminum alloy plates.

Stability of fiber laser-MIG hybrid welding of high strength aluminum alloy

The effect of fiber laser on MIG arc was investigated with 8 mm 7075-T6 high strength aluminum alloy as base material.The arc shape,droplet transfer form and electrical signal in the process of MIG welding and laser-MIG hybrid welding were analyzed.The stability of the hybrid welding process was evaluated by standard deviation analysis.The results show that with the increase of laser power,a large number of laser-induced plasma enters the arc column area,providing more conductive channels,which makes the heat of MIG arc more concentrated and the short circuit transition disappear.Due to the continuous effect of laser,the keyhole becomes a continuous electron emission source,and a stable cathode spot will be formed near the keyhole,which enhances the stability of MIG arc at the base current state.By using the method of standard deviation analysis,the voltage standard deviation of single MIG welding arc and laser-MIG hybrid arc within 4 seconds was calculated.The standard deviation of single MIG arc voltage was 1.05,and the standard deviation of MIG arc voltage in laser-MIG hybrid welding was 0.71–0.86,so the hybrid welding process was more stable.

Novel hybrid method: pulse CO_2 laser-TIG hybrid welding by coordinated control

In continuous wave CO2 laser-TlG hybrid welding process, the laser energy is not fully utilized because of the absorption and defocusing by plasma in the arc space. Therefore, the optimal welding result can only be achieved in a limited energy range. In order to improve the welding performance further, a novel hybrid welding method--pulse CO2 laser-TIG arc hybrid welding by coordinated control is proposed and investigated. The experimental results indicate that, compared with continuous wave CO2 laser-TIG hybrid welding, the absorption and defocusing of laser energy by plasma are decreased further, and at the same time, the availability ratio of laser and arc energy can be increased when a coordinated frequency is controlled. As a result, the weld appearance is also improved as well as the weld depth is deepened. Furthermore, the effect of frequency and phase of pulse laser and TIG arc on the arc images and welding characteristics is also studied. However, the novel hybrid method has great potentials in the application of industrials from views of techniques and economy.

Effect of Arc Energy on Morphology and Microstructure of Laser-MIG Hybrid Welded Joints of Invar Alloy

Laser-MIG hybrid welding experiments of 7 mm thick Invar alloy are carried out.The macro appearance of joints is observed and the influence of arc energy on the cross-section morphology is analyzed.The distribution of temperature field is simulated to explain the relationship between heat effect and microstructure.Besides,the average grain size of weld under different arc energies is quantitatively studied.The results indicate that welded joints with uniformity and good formation are obtained.The weld width and the weld seam area increase and the depth to width ratio decreases with the increase of arc heat input.The transition of columnar crystals to equiaxed crystals is observed from the fusion line to the weld center.It is found that the higher the arc energy,the coarser the columnar crystal.

Application and development in railway vehicles trend of new welding technologies manufacturing industry

This paper introduces the application of new automatic welding technologies in railway vehicles manufacturing industry, and presents the state of art of advanced friction stir welding technology, semi-penetration laser welding technology and laser-arc hybrid welding technology in manufacturing aluminum alloy body shell, stainless steel body shell and bogie. This paper also analyzes the application and development trend of three welding technologies in the future.

FEM Simulation of Distortion and Residual Stress Generated by High Energy Beam Welding with Considering Phase Transformation

A series of experiments was carried out so as to elucidate the effect of the phase transformation in the cooling process on welding distortion and residual stress generated by laser beam welding (LBW) and laser-arc hybrid welding (HYBW) on the high strength steel (HT780). Then, the experiments were simulated by 3D thermal elasticplastic analysis with FEM (Finite Element Method) which was performed with using the idealized mechanical properties considering the transformation superplasticity. From the results, the effects of the phase transformation on welding distortion and residual stress generated by LBW and HYBW were elucidated. Furthermore, the generality of the idealization of the mechanical properties was verified.

Challenge to Welding and Joining Technology for Applying Multi-material in Electric Vehicle Production

Advanced high strength steel,aluminum alloy and plastic materials are used in the right places for the purpose of reducing the weight of EV(electric vehicle)bodies and in-vehicle parts,and multi-material structures are advancing.Therefore,it is difficult to handle the welding and joining processes of automobile structures by the conventional arc welding and resistance spot welding,which have been applied to steel joining,and various joining processes are being applied depending on the material.Under above mentioned background,the authors have developed some unique joining processes for multi-materials that are used in the right place.This paper introduces the dissimilar metal joining between the galvanized steel and aluminum alloy by laser arc hybrid process,the metal/thermoplastic dissimilar material joining using laser process and the solid-state resistance spot joining process of advanced high strength steel for EV body structural parts.Moreover,the authors describe the high-speed plasma jet GTA(Gas Tungusten Arc)welding process of copper applied to electrical components such as motors.

激光-电弧复合焊接铝合金的研究进展分析

为早日实现“双碳”目标,轻量化制造是必经之路。铝合金以其低密度、高比强度和可回收利用等优点脱颖而出,并且具备高塑形、优良耐腐蚀能力从而可以广泛应用于各行各业,但因为其特殊的热物理性质及复杂的合金化学成分,使其焊接过程中极易出现气孔、热裂纹等焊接缺陷,其焊接难题限制了铝合金在轻量化之路的进一步发展。激光-电弧复合焊接技术结合激光焊接技术与电弧焊接技术的优势,以其大焊接熔深、高焊接效率、高焊接质量著称,并逐渐成为铝合金高效优质焊接的重要熔焊工艺。为掌握铝合金激光-电弧复合焊的研究现状,本文首次通过文献计量学的方法定量分析了Web of Science(WoS)数据库中1995—2021年已发表的该领域的学术论文,并通过使用VOSviewer软件对WoS数据库数据进行了可视化处理。结果表明,焊接接头、微观组织、热影响区、力学性能及激光与电弧的相互作用为研究热点,因此本文从上述领域对铝合金的激光-电弧复合焊接进行了总结与分析,并结合激光-电弧复合焊接过程中的在线监测技术与新型激光在复合焊中的应用展开讨论分析,得出激光-电弧复合焊接铝合金中接头类型的选取,微观组织的分布,力学性能的提升措施及复合热源的相互作用机制。旨在为后续研究激光-电弧复合焊接铝合金提供参考。最后,基于当下的研究现状,本文提出了该领域面临的挑战及未来工作展望。

变极性等离子弧焊技术发展及其在航天制造领域应用现状

变极性等离子弧(VariablePolarityPlasmaArc,VPPA)焊是一种高效的铝合金和镁合金焊接方法,其主要优势在于等离子电弧具有高能量密度,可以在焊接时穿透熔池形成小孔,大幅度降低焊接变形和残余应力,提高焊接质量。了解熔池小孔行为、电弧物理特性和控制方法对于优化和提高焊接过程的稳定性至关重要。本文综述了VPPA焊接技术发展的最新情况,对VPPA焊接过程信息的检测研究为深刻认识焊接稳定性机理提供了有力保障,尤其是利用X射线成像系统观测熔融金属流动的研究,对提升VPPA穿孔熔池物理本质的认识做出了重要贡献。此外,针对不同位置VPPA焊接的研究增加了这一焊接工艺的灵活性,由VPPA焊接衍生的多种拓展工艺拓宽了该焊接方法的适用范围。VPPA穿孔焊接技术以其焊接变形小、焊后无缺陷、单面焊接双面一次成形等优势,成为航空航天领域铝合金中厚板材焊接制造的优选工艺。

能量配比对6 mm 7A52铝合金板材VPPA-MIG复合焊接残余应力分布的影响

VPPA-MIG复合焊接的热源由VPPA和MIG两种电弧热源混合而成,该焊接方法集合了MIG焊接效率高、参数区间宽以及VPPA焊接能量集中、穿透深度大等优点,能够实现不同厚度铝合金板材的高效率和高质量焊接。在铝合金板材VPPA-MIG复合焊接过程中,VPPA与MIG两种电弧不同能量配比会影响焊后接头的残余应力分布。以6 mm厚7A52铝合金板材为试验材料,设置VPPA电弧能量配比不同的焊接参数进行VPPA-MIG复合焊接试验,焊后采用钻孔法测试并分析了接头残余应力分布及峰值大小。结果表明,复合焊接接头的熔合区和热影响区出现拉应力,母材区出现压应力。在复合焊接热源总能量不变的情况下,残余应力峰值随VPPA电弧能量配比的增加而增大,且当VPPA电弧能量配比从35%增大至40%时,可以获得成形效果良好的复合焊缝,横向残余应力峰值不超过73 MPa,纵向残余应力峰值不超过232 MPa,不会出现过大的残余应力峰值。与单MIG焊接相比,VPPA-MIG复合焊的残余应力峰值比单MIG焊大,而高应力区要比单MIG焊窄。

厚板窄间隙焊接技术研究现状与应用进展

窄间隙焊接技术已经成为现代工业生产中厚板结构的首选技术,其技术和经济优势决定了它是今后厚板焊接技术发展的主要方向之一,近年来随着科技工作者的不断探索和研发,相继涌现了多种窄间隙焊接方法,文中对电弧焊、激光焊和激光-电弧复合焊等窄间隙焊接制造技术进行了系统阐述,概述了不同热源窄间隙焊接制造过程中的焊接质量、焊接效率的影响因素,归纳了不同热源窄间隙焊的工艺特点及应用领域,结合国内外相关技术的发展现状,总结了窄间隙焊技术面临的问题,提出了后续的发展建议,为相关领域的科研工作者提供参考.

390MPa级船用高强钢激光-MAG复合焊接接头组织与力学性能

对8 mm厚390 MPa级船用高强钢进行了激光-MAG电弧复合焊接,研究了焊接接头焊缝形状和组织特征,分析了焊接接头硬度分布、拉伸性能和冲击性能。结果表明,激光-MAG复合焊接焊缝呈“酒杯”状,热影响区宽度较小。焊接速度为0.8 m/min时,焊缝区组织主要为先共析铁素体、侧板条铁素体、针状铁素体和板条贝氏体;焊接速度达到1.2 m/min以上时,先共析铁素体和侧板条铁素体比例显著减小,针状铁素体和板条贝氏体比例增加。焊接接头硬度均高于母材,没有明显软化区。激光-MAG复合焊接接头具有良好的低温冲击韧性;随着焊接速度增大,焊缝区-40℃和-60℃冲击吸收能量显著增加。