Nd:YAG laser welding experiments

Laser-beam/plume interaction experiments were conducted with a pulsed Nd:YAG laser. Tests were done on four different metals: Aluminum 1100, Molybdenum, Nickel 200, and Stainless Steel 304. Previous laser welding experiments have indicated that the vapor plume ejected from the irradiated base material significantly attenuates the laser beam energy for Nickel 200 and Stainless Steel 304. To substantiate this observation, the plume was subjected to a cross flow of argon gas. Metallurgical studies showed a significant increase in weld penetration for all materials except for Aluminum. These experiments also indicated that the plume ejects normal to the base material. Thus, the specimen was tilted at different angles in an attempt to reduce laser beam attenuation. Results showed no significant increase in weld depth when the tilt angle was increased. Mass loss measurements were also performed and the experimental data were an order-of-magnitude less than those predicted by a numerical laser welding code.