Shielding gases for CO2 laser welding - an experimental case study on lap welds in high strength low alloy steel

TWI Industrial Member Report Summary 398/1989

C J Dawes, S C Kennedy and R C Crafer

Scope

The effectiveness of different commonly available shielding gases has been compared experimentally to that of helium in CO₂ laser welding of lap joints in 0.7mm thick high strength low alloy (HSLA) autobody steel. Where the penetration was comparable to that given by helium, further comparisons were carried out in terms of fusion zone and HAZ width, hardness, strength and incidence of porosity.