Analysis of Autogenous Laser Welding in Low Carbon and Large Thickness Steel

Abstract

With the use of laser welding, it is possible to join different steel, with

different thicknesses, with or without the action of protective layers. The

quality of laser radiation makes it possible to get certain characteristics that

are impossible to get by other processes, such as high welding speeds, less

metallurgical effects suffered by the heat-affected zone (ZAC), and this

process also does not require filler metal, therefore it is free from possible

contamination.

Combined with traditional welding methods, laser welding produces

narrower weld beads, allowing for better prevention of corrosion and

thermal distortions.

Although the process already has high industrial knowledge, some random

defects, such as porosities and inconsistencies, are still found. This work

presents a systematic study to determine the influence of laser welding

parameters and how these parameters influence welding defects. For

this, the experimental part was carried out in the welding laboratory -

LABSOLDA, of the Federal University of Santa Catarina - UFSC, during

the laser welding processes, a welding speed of 2.4 m/min was reached. For

this experiment, argon was used as a shielding gas and 1020 steel was used

as the base material.