Laser-arc hybrid welding – Recent advances in research and application

Abstract

In this paper, after a brief overview on principle, properties and applications of laser arc hybrid welding, a few topics from current research are given a closer look. These topics include basic research into the interactions between laser beam and arc as well as applied research into new hybrid welding processes and applications. As an example for the latter, laser GMA hybrid welding with good gap bridging in the thin sheet range using a single-mode fibre laser is presented. Moreover, results from an extended study into laser GMA hybrid welding of aluminium to steel are reported. It is concluded that - although interesting applications have already been implemented - there still remain lots of open questions and unexplored, challenging applications in stock for hybrid welding.In this paper, after a brief overview on principle, properties and applications of laser arc hybrid welding, a few topics from current research are given a closer look. These topics include basic research into the interactions between laser beam and arc as well as applied research into new hybrid welding processes and applications. As an example for the latter, laser GMA hybrid welding with good gap bridging in the thin sheet range using a single-mode fibre laser is presented. Moreover, results from an extended study into laser GMA hybrid welding of aluminium to steel are reported. It is concluded that - although interesting applications have already been implemented - there still remain lots of open questions and unexplored, challenging applications in stock for hybrid welding.