Effect of oscillation parameters on weld surface morphology during laser beam oscillation welding of stainless steel

Abstract

During laser beam oscillation welding (LBOW), the weld surface morphology is important because it influences the appearance of the workpiece and reflects the welding quality, and the oscillation parameters have an important effect on the weld surface morphology. Therefore, a combination of experimental research and numerical simulation is conducted to investigate the influence of oscillation parameters, including oscillation mode, oscillation frequency, and oscillation amplitude, on the weld surface morphology during LBOW. The calculation encompasses the oscillation trajectory, combined velocity, and energy distribution on the weld surface, varying with different oscillation parameters. A three-dimensional heat transfer and fluid flow model with the oscillation heat source is established to simulate the temperature and fluid flow behavior inside the weld pool. When the heat input is constant, an increase in oscillation frequency results in a decrease in weld width and a smoother surface. As the oscillation frequency increases, the weld width decreases, the surface becomes smooth, and the energy distribution on the weld surface becomes more uniform. The fact that the period of the surface pattern is almost equal to the oscillation period indicates a direct correlation between the formation of weld surface pattern and the oscillation trajectory in LBOW. Among all the oscillation modes, the minimum combined velocity which is equal to the welding velocity occurs at the inflection point in the linear oscillation mode, and the variation in combined velocity of the laser beam is the smallest for circular oscillation mode. The surface pattern is primarily influenced by the oscillation trajectory and fluid flow within the weld pool. Under conditions of lower oscillation frequencies or larger oscillation amplitudes, the fluid flow is weaker, and the surface pattern is primarily influenced by the oscillation trajectory. Conversely, when the fluid flow is stronger, the surface pattern is mainly determined by the fluid flow within the weld pool under conditions of higher oscillation frequencies or smaller oscillation amplitudes. This study explains the formation mechanisms of weld surface patterns and provides insights and guidance for selecting optimal oscillation parameters in LBOW.