Welding of ship structural steel A36 using Nd:YAG laser and GMAW

Tommi Jokinen, T. Vihervä, H. Riikonen, Veli Kujanpää

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference article in proceedingsScientific

Abstract

Laser welding has the potential of offering both technical and economical advantages in many applications in the shipbuilding industry. A limiting factor is currently the power level available with commercial lasers, since steel plates above 5 mm in thickness are used in almost every shipbuilding application. In addition, the high hardness of the welds produced using laser welding is a disadvantage when compared with the requirements of existing classification society standards. It has been reported that by using a hybrid welding method, in which a laser beam and a GMAW arc are combined, it is possible to weld thicker sections, because penetration is increased. Hardness values are correspondingly lower than with the laser process because of the increased energy input.
Results of a study of hybrid high power Nd:YAG laser and GMA welding are reported. All plates were welded in a butt joint configuration. When laser and GMAW were combined in a single process, I -grooves were used. The air gaps between the welded plates were varied. Some tests were made using a partially-grooved V joint. In these cases, the root faces were welded by using Nd:YAG laser, and the upper part of the joint was welded by GMAW. It was seen that it is possible to produce defect-free welds using these processes. Macrosections of the welds, hardness values and parameters are presented and discussed.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationICALEO '99
Subtitle of host publicationProceedings of the Laser Materials Processing Conference
PublisherLaser Institute of America
PagesD225-D232
ISBN (Print)0-912035-60-9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1999
MoE publication typeB3 Non-refereed article in conference proceedings
Event18th International Congress on Applications of Lasers & Electro-Optics, ICALEO '99 - San Diego, United States
Duration: 15 Nov 199918 Nov 1999

Publication series

SeriesLIA Series
Volume87

Conference

Conference18th International Congress on Applications of Lasers & Electro-Optics, ICALEO '99
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego
Period15/11/9918/11/99

Keywords

  • welding
  • ships

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