Search Results (114)

We report on the welding of optical borosilicate glass to an unpolished copper substrate (surface Ra of 0.27 µm and Rz of 1.89 µm) using bursts of femtosecond laser pulses. The present paper puts forth the hypothesis that glass–metal welding with a gap is contingent upon the ejection of molten jets of glass. We have ascertained the impact of pulse energy and focal position on weldability. This finding serves to substantiate our initial hypothesis and provides a framework for understanding the conditions under which this hypothesis is applicable. Under optimal conditions, but without the assistance of any clamping system, our welded samples maintained a breaking resistance of up to 10.9 MPa. Full article

This study develops an optimized femtosecond laser welding process for joining quartz glass and TC4 titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) under non-optical contact conditions, specifically addressing the manufacturing needs of specialized photoelectric effect research containers. The joint primarily consists of parallel laser-welded zones (WZ) interspersed with base material. The defocus distance of the femtosecond laser predominantly influences the depth and phase composition of the WZ, while the weld spacing influences the crack distribution in the joint region. The maximum shear strength of 14.4 MPa was achieved at a defocusing distance of +0.1 mm (below the interface) and a weld spacing of 40 μm. The XRD stress measurements indicate that the defocusing distance mainly affects the stress along the direction of laser impact (DLI), whereas the weld spacing primarily influences the stress along the direction of spacing (DS). GPA results demonstrate that when the spacing is less than 30 μm, the non-uniform shrinkage inside the WZ induces tensile stress in the joint, leading to significant fluctuations in DS residual stress and consequently affecting the joint’s shear strength. This study investigates the effects of process parameters on the mechanical properties of dissimilar joints and, for the first time, analyzes the relationship between joint residual strain and femtosecond laser weld spacing, providing valuable insights for optimizing femtosecond laser welding processes. Full article

The future of the automotive industry appears to hinge on the integration of dissimilar materials, such as aluminum alloys and carbon steel. However, this combination can lead to galvanic corrosion, compromising the structural integrity. In this study, laser-welded joints of 6013-T4 aluminum alloy and DP980 steel were evaluated for their morphology, microhardness, and corrosion resistance. Corrosion resistance was assessed using the electrochemical noise technique over time in 0.1 M Na₂SO₄ and 3.5% NaCl solutions. The wavelet function was applied to remove the DC trend, and energy diagrams were generated to identify the type of corrosive process occurring on the electrodes. Corrosion on the electrodes was also monitored using photomicrographic images. Analysis revealed an aluminum–steel mixture in the melting zone, along with the presence of AlFe, AlFe₃, and AlI₃Fe₄ intermetallic compounds. The highest Vickers microhardness was observed in the heat-affected zone, adjacent to the melt zone, where a martensitic microstructure was identified. The 6013-T4 aluminum alloy demonstrated the highest corrosion resistance in both media. Conversely, the electrochemical noise resistance was similar for the DP980 steel and the weld bead, indicating that the laser welding process does not significantly impact this property. The energy diagrams showed that localized pitting corrosion was the predominant form of corrosion. However, generalized and mixed corrosion were also observed, which corroborated the macroscopic analysis of the electrodes. Full article

Laser weld quality remains a critical priority across nearly all industries. However, identifying optimal laser parameter sets continues to be highly challenging, often relying on costly, time-consuming trial-and-error experiments. This difficulty is largely attributed to the severe fluctuations and instabilities inherent in laser welding, particularly keyhole instabilities. This study examines the impact of laser power modulation parameters, which, when properly applied, have been found effective in controlling and minimizing process instabilities. The investigated parameters include different pulse shapes (sinusoidal and cosinusoidal) and their associated characteristics, namely frequency (100–800 Hz) and amplitude (1000–4000 W). The impact of these modulation parameters on keyhole mode laser spot welding performance in aluminum is investigated. Using a Taguchi experimental design, a series of tests were developed, focusing on eight key welding responses, including keyhole dimensions, mean temperature, and the variability of instability-inducing forces and related factors affecting process stability. Grey relational analysis (GRA) combined with analysis of variance (ANOVA) is applied to identify the optimal combinations of laser parameters. The results indicate that low amplitude (1000 W), low to intermediate frequencies (100–400 Hz), and cosinusoidal waveforms significantly enhance weld quality by improving process stability and balancing penetration depth. Among the factors, amplitude has the greatest impact, accounting for over 50% of the performance variation, followed by frequency and pulse shape. The findings provide clear guidance for optimizing laser welding parameters to achieve stable, high-quality aluminum welds. Full article

Traditional narrow gap welding of thick titanium alloy plates easily produces dynamic molten pool flow instability, poor sidewall fusion, and excessive residual stress after welding, which leads to defects such as pores, cracks, and large welding deformations. In view of the above problems, this study takes 16-mm-thick TC4 titanium alloy as the research object, uses low-power pulsed laser-GTA flexible heat source welding technology, and uses the flexible regulation of space between the laser, arc, and wire to promote good fusion of the molten pool and side wall metal. By implementing instant ultrasonic impact treatment on the weld surface, the residual stress of the welded specimen is controlled within a certain range to reduce deformation after welding. The results show that the new welding process makes the joint stable, the side wall is well fused, and there are no defects such as pores and cracks. The weld zone is composed of a large number of α′ martensites interlaced with each other to form a basketweave structure. The tensile fracture of the joint occurs at the base metal. The joint tensile strength is 870 MPa, and the elongation after fracture can reach 17.1%, which is 92.4% of that of the base metal. The impact toughness at the weld is 35 J/cm², reaching 81.8% of that of the base metal. After applying ultrasound, the average residual stress decreased by 96% and the peak residual stress decreased by 94.8% within 10 mm from the weld toe. The average residual stress decreased by 95% and the peak residual stress decreased by 95.5% within 10 mm from the weld root. The residual stress on the surface of the whole welded test plate could be controlled within 200 MPa. Finally, a high-performance thick Ti-alloy plate welded joint with good forming and low residual stress was obtained. Full article

In large welding structures, maintaining a uniform assembly condition and machined dimension in the pre-welding groove is challenging. The assembly condition and machined dimension of the pre-welding groove significantly impact the selection of the welding parameters. In this study, laser–arc hybrid welding is used to perform butt welding on 6 mm Q345 steel in various assembly conditions, and we propose an adaptive model of the BP neural network optimized by a genetic algorithm (GA) for laser–arc welding. By employing the GA algorithm to optimize the parameters of the neural network, the relationship between the pre-welding groove parameters and welding parameters is established. The mean square error (MSE) of the GA-BP neural network is 0.75%. It is verified via experiments that the neural network can predict the welding parameters required to process a specific welding morphology under different pre-welding grooves. This model provides technical support for the development of intelligent welding systems for large and complex components. Full article

The research and related tests aimed to investigate the effect of different heat inputs on the microstructure and properties of the joint when using laser-backing welding for X80 steel, with the purpose of guiding a reasonable adjustment of heat inputs to obtain a sound and high-quality joint, and ultimately laying the foundation for the engineering application of laser-backing welding. The fiber-laser-backing welding is performed on a 22 mm thick X80 steel, before which a groove is prepared and assembled; joints were obtained under different heat inputs (162, 180, 210, 270 J/mm) with orthogonal combinations of laser power and welding speed. The microstructure and properties of the joints were characterized by using an optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, and microhardness tester. According to this investigation, the morphology of the joint is directly affected by the heat input, and insufficient heat input (<180 J/mm) will lead to an unacceptable weld profile. The width of the weld and heat-affected zone gets bigger as the heat input increases. The hardness nephograms of the joints under different heat inputs show that the weld has the highest hardness, followed by the coarse-grain heat-affected zone and the fine-grain heat-affected zone, sequentially. The less heat input, the lower the joint hardness; when the heat input increases to 270 J/mm, the coarse-grain zone near the fusion line shows obvious hardening. In addition, heat input also affects the impact toughness of the weld. The grain size of X80 steel with a lower content of niobium easily becomes coarse under excessive heat input (270 J/mm), resulting in the degradation of the grain-boundary slip ability; hence, the impact toughness of the joint deteriorates. The optimal heat input of 210 J/mm was identified, achieving a grain size of nearly 14 µm and providing a balanced combination of lower strength and higher impact toughness. Full article

To address the challenge of achieving an optimal balance between strength and toughness in ultra-high-strength steel welds, this study investigates ultrasonic vibration-assisted laser-arc hybrid welding. The influence of ultrasonic vibrations, applied to the lower surface of laser-arc hybrid welding specimens at powers ranging from 60 W to 240 W, on various aspects of the weld, including macroscopic morphology, porosity, microstructure, and mechanical properties, was systematically examined. Experimental findings reveal that as ultrasonic power increases, weld porosity initially diminishes before rising again. Simultaneously, the fusion ratio of the weld gradually enhances, and the cross-sectional morphology of the weld transforms from a “goblet” shape to an “inverted triangle”, with the transition boundary between the arc zone and laser zone becoming less distinct. Furthermore, an increase in ultrasonic power leads to a gradual rise in the microhardness of the weld, and the mechanical properties of the weld joint exhibit an upward trend. Notably, at an ultrasonic power of 180 W, the weld attains a tensile strength of 1380 MPa and an impact toughness of 10.5 J, highlighting the potential of this technique in optimizing the welding characteristics of ultra-high-strength steel. Full article

In order to further study the effect of welding residual stress on the fatigue strength of a TC4 titanium alloy sheet during laser welding, a laser welding butt joint model for TC4 titanium alloy sheets was established using ABAQUS (2022) software. The temperature and residual stress fields generated during the welding process were comprehensively simulated, and the melt pool shape and residual stress magnitudes were experimentally verified. The experimental parameters included a laser power range of 900–1200 W, welding speeds of 12.5 and 25 mm/s, and a double-sided welding approach with a cooling interval of 20 s between passes. The findings indicate that welding residual stress is primarily concentrated around the weld and the heat-affected zone, predominantly as tensile stress, with the maximum value observed at the weld’s initiation point, reaching 920 MPa—close to the material’s tensile strength limit. Under ideal conditions (without considering welding residual stress), the fatigue life at the weld area is estimated to reach 188,799 cycles, while the fatigue life of the base material without welding is calculated to be 167,109 cycles. However, when accounting for welding residual stress, the fatigue strength of the sheet decreases significantly, with the minimum fatigue life occurring at the weld toe, measured at 10,471 cycles. This study demonstrates that welding residual stress has a substantial impact on the fatigue life of TC4 titanium alloy sheets, particularly in the heat-affected zone, where the fatigue life is reduced by nearly 94% compared to the ideal condition. These results provide critical insights for improving the fatigue performance of laser-welded TC4 titanium alloy components in engineering applications. Full article

Cooling Rate (CR) definitively influences the microstructure of metallic parts manufactured through various processes. Factors including cooling medium, surface area, thermal conductivity, and temperature control can influence both predicted and unforeseen impacts that then influence the results of mechanical properties. This comprehensive study explores the impact of CRs in diffusion, microstructural development, and the characterization of aluminum alloys and the influence of various manufacturing processes and post-process treatments, and it studies analytical models that can predict their effects. It examines a broad range of CRs encountered in diverse manufacturing methods, such as laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), directed energy deposition (DED), casting, forging, welding, and hot isostatic pressing (HIP). For example, varying CRs might result in different types of solidification and microstructural evolution in aluminum alloys, which thereby influence their mechanical properties during end use. The study further examines the effects of post-process heat treatments, including quenching, annealing, and precipitation hardening, on the microstructure and mechanical properties of aluminum alloys. It discusses numerical and analytical models, which are used to predict and optimize CRs for achieving targeted material characteristics of specific aluminum alloys. Although understanding CR and its effects is crucial, there is a lack of literature on how CR affects alloy properties. This comprehensive review aims to bridge the knowledge gap through a thorough literature review of the impact of CR on microstructure and mechanical properties. Full article

In the domain of new energy vehicles, the control of welding deformation in aluminum alloy battery systems poses substantial challenges. The existing methodologies for diminishing welding deformation, such as laser segmented skip welding, alteration of welding path sequences, numerical simulation prediction, and post-weld heat treatment, still possess room for further optimization when applied to intricate welding structures. In this research, a novel adjustable-ring-mode laser in conjunction with the oscillation welding technique was employed to explore the impacts of fiber core diameter, laser light field brightness distribution, and process parameters on weld formation. The regulation of welding deformation was achieved through optimizing the welding process and adjusting the welding path. The results indicate that when the fiber core diameter is 50/150 µm and the light field brightness distribution is H, the weld size exhibits the highest stability. Under the conditions of process parameters p = 5300 W, v = 5.4 m/min, A = 1.6 mm, f = 120 Hz, and θ = 40°, and with the spot position located at the bottom of the side of the upper substrate, the optimal weld formation is obtained. After optimizing the welding path, the maximum Z-direction deformation of the weld is 1.403 mm, representing a reduction of 1.702 mm compared to the previous value. This work is capable of providing novel theoretical guidance and technical insights for the control of welding deformation in thin aluminum alloy plates. Full article

Small-scale impact welding may have several advantages over rivets: the strength can be higher, it can be applied right at the edges in lap joints, and it can be lighter and more easily installed if simple systems can be developed. Laser Impact Welding (LIW) is compact and simple, adapting the technologies of laser shock peening. It is limited in terms of the energy that can be delivered to the joint. Augmented Laser Impact Welding (ALIW) complements optical energy with a small volume of an exothermic detonable compound and has been shown to be an effective welding approach. The scope of this study is extended to build upon previous work by investigating varied augmentation chemistries and confinement layers, specifically borosilicate glass, sapphire, and water. The evaluation of these compositions involved the use of two aluminum alloys: Al 2024 and Al 6061. Photonic Doppler Velocimetry (PDV) was utilized to measure the flyer velocity and assess the detonation energy. The findings indicated that adding micro-air bubbles (GPN-3 scenario) to the original GPN-1 enhanced the flyer velocity by improving the sensitivity, which promoted gas release during detonation. Hence, employing 1 mm thick Al 2024 as a flyer with GPN-3 enhances the flyer velocity by 36.4% in comparison to GPN-1, thereby improving the feasibility of using 1 mm thick material as a flyer and ensuring a successful welded joint with the thickest flyer ever welded with laser impact welding. When comparing the confinement layers, sapphire provided slightly lower flyer velocities compared to borosilicate glass. However, due to its higher resistance to damage and fracture, sapphire is likely more suitable for industrial applications from an economic perspective. Furthermore, the lap shear tests and microstructural evaluations confirmed that GPN-3 provided higher detonation energy, as emphasized by the tendency of the interfacial waves to have a higher amplitude than the less pronounced waves of the original GPN-1. Consequently, this approach demonstrates the key characteristics of a practical process, being simple, cost-effective, and efficient. Full article

This paper investigates Ring Beam Modulation-assisted Laser (RBML) welding as a novel approach for joining dissimilar materials, specifically aluminum and copper, which are essential in high-performance applications such as electric vehicle batteries and aerospace components. The study aims to address challenges such as thermal mismatches, brittle intermetallic compounds, and structural defects that hinder traditional welding methods. The research combines experimental and computational analyses to evaluate the impact of heat input distributions and laser modulation parameters on weld quality and strength. Three welding cases are compared: fixed center beam with variable ring beam outputs, variable center beam with fixed ring outputs, and a wobble-mode beam to enhance interfacial bonding. Computational modeling supports the optimization process by simulating heat flows and material responses, exploring various shape factors, and guiding parameter selection. Key findings include a nonlinear relationship between heat input and welding strength across the cases. Case 1 demonstrates improved weld strength with higher ring beam input, while Case 2 achieves excellent reliability with relatively lower inputs. Case 3 introduces wobble welding, yielding superior resolution and consistent weld quality. These results confirm that precise ring beam modulation enhances weld reliability, minimizes thermal distortions, and optimizes energy consumption. The manuscript advances the state of knowledge in laser welding technology by demonstrating a scalable, energy-efficient method for joining dissimilar materials. This contribution supports the fabrication of lightweight, high-reliability assemblies, paving the way for innovative applications in the automotive, medical, aerospace, and shipbuilding industries. Full article

Fusion-welded austenitic stainless steel (ASS) was predominantly employed to manufacture dry storage canisters (DSCs) for the storage applications of spent nuclear fuel (SNF). However, the ASS weld joints are prone to chloride-induced stress corrosion cracking (CISCC), a critical safety issue in the nuclear industry. DSCs were exposed to a chloride-rich environment during storage, creating CISCC precursors. The CISCC failure leads to nuclear radiation leakage. Therefore, there is a critical need to enhance the CISCC resistance of DSC weld joints using promising repair techniques. This review article encapsulates the current state-of-the-art of peening techniques for mitigating the CISCC in DSCs. More specifically, conventional shot peening (CSP), ultrasonic impact peening (UIP), and laser shock peening (LSP) were elucidated with a focus on CISCC mitigation. The underlying mechanism of CISCC mitigation in each process was summarized. Finally, this review provides recent advances in surface modification techniques, repair techniques, and developments in welding techniques for CISCC mitigation in DSCs. Full article

This paper conducts a numerical simulation of the laser welding process for 6056 aluminum alloy stringers and skin T-joints using Simufact Welding. Initially, the accuracy of the finite element simulation is validated, followed by an exploration of the impact of bilateral asynchronous and bilateral synchronous laser welding on molten pool stability. Process parameters, including laser power, welding speed, fixture clamping force, and preheat temperature, are optimized through orthogonal testing. Furthermore, the influence of welding sequences on post-weld equivalent stress and deformation in three stringers’ T-joints is analyzed. The numerical simulation results indicate that the stability of the molten pool is superior in bilateral synchronous welding compared to asynchronous welding. Optimized process parameters were obtained through orthogonal testing, and subsequent experiments demonstrated that the welding sequence of welding both sides first, followed by the middle, produced lower post-weld equivalent stress and reduced overall joint deformation. Full article