Laser welding of butt joint in low carbon steel sheets - process tolerance data

TWI Industrial Member Report Summary 228/1983

C J Dawes

Synopsis

Laser beam focus position, laser beam/joint alignment, workpiece face mismatch (joint gap) and workpiece surface mismatch have been investigated when making laser welded butt joints in 2, 3 and 4mm low carbon steels. At the welding conditions examined, a focus position of at least ±2mm about the workpiece surface could be tolerated. A laser beam misalignment of 0.25mm each side of the joint line was acceptable but 0.5mm was not. The workpiece face mismatch that could be tolerated was small; ≥0.18mm for 2 and 4mm thick materials respectively. A surface mismatch of at least 50% of the material thickness for each material studied could be tolerated without affecting weld quality.