Experimental analysis of the effect of laser beam parameters on the weld pool shape and size

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An experimental study is carried out to investigate the effect of laser beam parameters on the weld pool shape. The laser welding of AISI 1020 steel was carried out using a six-kilowatt CO2 continuous wave laser beam to evaluate the effects of process parameters such as the beam power and the beam travel speed on the weld pool shape and size. The shape of the resulting weld pool is measured with varying laser-processing parameters including beam irradiance and beam travel speed. A commercially available high power beam analyzer is used to determine the beam quality and size. The determination of the shape and the weld pool is accomplished by using metalographic techniques. The size of the weld pool was measured from the microscopic images taken out of cross-sectioned weld samples. Statistical validity of the results were obtained by collecting multiple samples at each operating conditions. Results show considerable difference in the shape of the weld pool, and an increase in pool size with increasing beam power and decreasing beam travel speed. Results also show a deeper penetration welding with decreasing beam travel speed.An experimental study is carried out to investigate the effect of laser beam parameters on the weld pool shape. The laser welding of AISI 1020 steel was carried out using a six-kilowatt CO2 continuous wave laser beam to evaluate the effects of process parameters such as the beam power and the beam travel speed on the weld pool shape and size. The shape of the resulting weld pool is measured with varying laser-processing parameters including beam irradiance and beam travel speed. A commercially available high power beam analyzer is used to determine the beam quality and size. The determination of the shape and the weld pool is accomplished by using metalographic techniques. The size of the weld pool was measured from the microscopic images taken out of cross-sectioned weld samples. Statistical validity of the results were obtained by collecting multiple samples at each operating conditions. Results show considerable difference in the shape of the weld pool, and an increase in pool size with increasing beam...