Process for Laser-ARC Hybrid Welding Aluminized Metal Workpieces

Abstract

Process for laser welding at least one metal workpiece ( 1 ) by a laser beam ( 3 ), the workpiece having a surface coating ( 2 ) containing aluminum, characterized in that the laser beam ( 3 ) is combined with at least one electric arc ( 4 ) so as to melt the metal and actually weld the workpiece(s).

1 . Process for hybrid arc/laser welding at least one steel workpiece having a surface coating by a laser beam combined with at least one electric arc, the process comprising a step of the electric arc and said laser beam being applied simultaneously to a single common welding zone of said at least one workpiece to melt the metal and thereby weld said at least one workpiece, wherein the majority of the coating composition by weight is aluminum and silicon, and the coating composition has a thickness of between about 5 and about 45 μm. 
     
     
         2 . Process according to  claim 1 , wherein the coating has a thickness of between about 30 μm and about 45 μm. 
     
     
         3 . Process according to  claim 1 , wherein the coating has a thickness of about 30 μm. 
     
     
         4 . Process according to  claim 1 , wherein the coating is 90% aluminum and 10% silicon by weight. 
     
     
         5 . Process according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the workpieces has a thickness of between 0.5 and 4 mm. 
     
     
         6 . Process according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the workpieces has a thickness of about 0.8 to about 2.5 mm. 
     
     
         7 . Process according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one workpiece comprises said coating on a surface of at least one lateral edge of the workpiece. 
     
     
         8 . Process according to  claim 1 , wherein the electric arc is delivered by a tungsten welding electrode. 
     
     
         9 . Process according to  claim 7 , wherein the electric arc forms at the end of a consumable wire. 
     
     
         10 . Process according to  claim 1 , further comprising, during the step of the electric arc and said laser beam being applied simultaneously to a single common welding zone, a step of providing an argon or argon/helium gas shield to at least part of a weld bead. 
     
     
         11 . Process according to  claim 1 , wherein that the laser beam is generated by one or more of a CO 2  laser, a Nd:YAG laser, a diode laser, or a ytterbium-doped fiber laser.