Development of an optimised shielding strategy for laser beam welding of Ti6Al2Sn4Zr2Mo

Abstract

Ti6Al2Sn4Zr2Mo exhibits improved oxidation and creep properties compared to Ti6Al4V. Laser beam welding (LBW) is an approved process to receive narrow weld seams at high welding speeds with low heat input. Almost distortion free complex shaped structures can be joined with optimal parameters. For the optimisation of the LBW process the most relevant parameters are the welding speed, the laser input power and the gas shielding strategy. Using a fibre laser, the laser radiation is attenuated by a welding plume the so-called metal-vapour cloud (MVC). The MVC has a large influence on the laser input power. Therefore, an approach for reducing the MVC by optimising the shielding strategy using an additional gas flow in opposite welding direction is examined. Utilizing high-speed camera records, the effectiveness of the approach is assessed. Welded samples are evaluated by visual and radiographic inspection, metallographic assessment as well as microhardness measurements with regard to weld seam geometry, defects, microstructure and local mechanical properties. The obtained results are correlated to the used laser welding parameters.