Induction Assisted Hybrid-Welding Processes to Join Heavy-Walled Steel Components

Abstract

In order to weld heavy-walled metal sheets (16mm and more) a hybrid process, that includes an electric arc and the laser beam, is frequently applied at present. Due to the high thermal conductivity of metals and the enormous temperature gradient between the laser-welded area and the not welded region around the bond, there is a great heat flow and the welded material is cooled down in very short time. This high decrease of temperature leads to decayed metallurgical qualities. In order to slow down the temperature drop, an inductive process is applied to the hybrid welding device. Because of the high thickness of the metal sheets both an inductive preheating and an inductive post-heating process are added. To configure an optimal design for the inductors the numerical simulation is used and especially the heat generation of the welding process has to be included in a physical realistic way.