Welding phenomena and in-process monitoring in high-power YAG laser welding of aluminium alloy

Abstract

Laser welding of aluminium alloys is difficult because of their low laser coupling, easy formation of welding defects, etc. and thus the establishment of in process monitoring technique is expected in various industries to obtain highly reliable laser welds. In this study, therefore, both the reflected laser beam and radiation light from die molten pool were investigated as monitoring signals during YAG laser welding of A5052 and A5182 aluminium alloy to confirm validity and usefulness of these signals for monitoring. At the same time, laser-welding phenomena were observed through a high-speed video camera to better interpret the monitored signals. Two signals were detected by utilizing photo sensors and band pass or cut-off filters coaxially against a laser beam and from the above-back direction. In this paper, experimental setup, and monitoring and observation results were presented. The correlation between monitoring signals and welding phenomena was clarified when the welding defects such as underfilling and through holes were formed.