Search

A three-dimensional numerical model is used to simulate heat transfer and fluid flow phenomena in fiber laser + gas metal arc welding (GMAW) hybrid welding of an aluminum alloy, which incorporates three-phase coupling and is able to depict the keyhole dynamic behavior and formation process of the keyhole-induced porosity. The temperature profiles and fluid flow fields for different arc powers are calculated and the percent porosities of weld beads were also examined under different conditions by X-ray non-destructive testing (NDT). The results showed that the computed results were in agreement with the experimental data. For hybrid welding, with raising arc power, the keyhole-induced porosity was reduced. Besides the solidification rate of the molten pool, the melt flow was also closely related to weld porosity. A relatively steady anti-clockwise vortex caused by arc forces tended to force the bubble to float upwards at the high temperature region close to the welding heat source, which benefits the escape of the gas bubble from the melt pool. When increasing the arc power, the anti-clockwise region was strengthened and the risk of the gas bubble for capture by the liquid/solid interface underneath the keyhole tip was diminished, which resulted in the lower weld percent porosity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A numerical analysis model is developed for the arc of hybrid welding with T-joint. • The interaction behavior between arc and laser-induced metal vapor during welding process can be simulated. • Laser-induced metal vapor has a cooling effect on the arc. • The influence of laser rotation frequency on arc and laser-induced metal vapor is discussed. • The influence of laser rotation radius on arc and laser-induced metal vapor is discussed. In order to improve the reliability and stability of complex joints hybrid welding, this paper establishes an arc numerical analysis model, studies the T-joint high-frequency rotating laser-GMAW hybrid welding arc physical characteristics, and expounds the effects of laser rotation frequency along with rotation radius on arc plasma temperature, velocity, and metal vapor concentration field distribution. The research results show: the arc is more likely to start on the bottom plate and vertical plate surfaces, and the current density at the angle between the plates decreases significantly; temperature drops at the hybrid welding arc tail, the current effective distribution radius was reduced, and current density was more concentrated; the laser beam rotation frequency increases, the eruption speed of the metal vapor ejected from the keyhole decreases, while the meeting height of arc plasma and laser-induced metal vapor decreases; and, with an increase in rotation radius, the laser rotation speed increases accordingly. At the same rotation frequency, the injected metal vapor kinetic energy and rising height are reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to develop a unified three dimensional numerical model for fiber laser+GMAW hybrid welding, which is used to study the fluid flow phenomena in hybrid welding of aluminum alloy and the influence of laser power on weld pool dynamic behavior. This model takes into account the coupling of gas, liquid and metal phases. Laser heat input is described using a cone heat source model with changing peak power density, its height being determined based on the keyhole size. Arc heat input is modeled as a double ellipsoid heat source. The arc plasma flow and droplet transfer are simulated through the two simplified models. The temperature and velocity fields for different laser powers are calculated. The computed results are in general agreement with the experimental data. Both the peak and average values of fluid flow velocity during hybrid welding are much higher than those of GMAW. At a low level of laser power, both the arc force and droplet impingement force play a relatively large role on fluid flow in the hybrid welding. Keyhole depth always oscillates within a range. With an increase in laser power, the weld pool behavior becomes more complex. An anti-clockwise vortex is generated and the stability of keyhole depth is improved. Besides, the effects of laser power on different driving forces of fluid flow in weld pool are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arc shape, droplet transfer, weld pool behavior and temperature fields were studied to investigate the influence of low current auxiliary TIG arc on weld formation and microstructure in TIG-MIG hybrid welding and compared with conventional MIG welding. Results indicated that the MIG arc is stabilized by a leading TIG arc while it is destabilized by a trailing TIG arc. Regardless of the TIG arc leading or trailing, it decentralized the MIG arc force and reduced the impingement of droplet. The backward fluid flow in the hybrid welding was decelerated relative to the conventional MIG welding. The slower backward fluid flow in hybrid welding impeded the accumulation of high temperature filler metal in the tail of weld pool and provided the molten metal more time to fill the weld toe which resulted in suppression of the undercut defect. The top surface temperature gradient at the middle and tail of the hybrid weld pool was lower than that in the MIG weld pool, albeit the welding heat input was increased. Microstructure analysis showed evidence of prominent dendrite formation at higher welding speeds with no obvious grain coarsening in the weld zone of TIG-MIG hybrid weld joint while its HAZ became narrower. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A unified model is developed for hybrid welding with horizontal fillet joint. • Formation process of bubble and porosity can be simulated directly. • Forward flow resulting from clockwise vortex is weakened in hybrid welding. • Keyhole collapses at its middle part easily, raising the possibility of generating large bubble. • The effect of welding current on keyhole behavior and weld porosity is discussed. The keyhole induced porosity in laser-MIG hybrid fillet welding of aluminum alloy in the horizontal position was investigated with simulation and experimental methods. A three dimensional model is developed, which takes into account geometric feature of horizontal filled joint and the coupling of keyhole, droplet and molten pool. Meanwhile, the major forces are also incorporated in the model. The inclination of heat source is dealt with through rotation of coordinate system. This model is able to calculate the keyhole dynamic behavior and the formation process of gas bubble as well as keyhole induced porosity directly. Also, it can describe the merging and disappearing of bubbles. The weld porosity was examined by the X-ray non-destructive testing. Large weld pool size provides more time for bubble to escape from the molten pool, which is the major factor responsible for the reduction in hybrid welding. Besides, the forward flow caused by the clockwise vortex is weakened, which also plays a positive role in improving the stability of back keyhole wall. The keyhole collapses at the middle part easily in horizontal fillet welding, raising the possibility of forming large pore. Bubble is easy to be captured by the upper weld pool boundary when floating up. With enhancing the welding current, the stability of keyhole is enhanced to some extent and the keyhole induced porosity is reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]