Wet welding and cladding using a 3kW Nd:YAG laser

Abstract

An investigation to determine the feasibility of using a fiber optic delivered CW Nd:YAG beam to perform wet lap welding and cladding was conducted. The material studied for lap welds was HTS steel. Results of wet lap welds were compared to similar welds made under dry conditions. It was found that weld penetration was reduced in wet welding. Hardness of the wet welds was higher than comparable dry welds. Limited tensile testing of lap welds showed that the tensile strength of the wet lap welds to be higher than dry lap welds and the failure location shifts from the HAZ to the weld or parent metal. Diffusible hydrogen testing shows the hydrogen content in wet welds to be about 150 times that of dry welds. Cladding of 316 on HTS steel was performed wet and dry. Hardness testing of wet and dry clads showed little or no difference, although root porosity was observed in each type of clad.An investigation to determine the feasibility of using a fiber optic delivered CW Nd:YAG beam to perform wet lap welding and cladding was conducted. The material studied for lap welds was HTS steel. Results of wet lap welds were compared to similar welds made under dry conditions. It was found that weld penetration was reduced in wet welding. Hardness of the wet welds was higher than comparable dry welds. Limited tensile testing of lap welds showed that the tensile strength of the wet lap welds to be higher than dry lap welds and the failure location shifts from the HAZ to the weld or parent metal. Diffusible hydrogen testing shows the hydrogen content in wet welds to be about 150 times that of dry welds. Cladding of 316 on HTS steel was performed wet and dry. Hardness testing of wet and dry clads showed little or no difference, although root porosity was observed in each type of clad.