Abstract

Joining dissimilar metals with normal welding methods poses interesting and difficult metallurgical problems [1]. The rapid solidification rate associated with laser welding results in non-equilibrium structures due to incomplete mixing in the fusion zone. An experimental study was undertaken to assess the weldabilty of dissimilar metals, mild steel and stainless steel, with pre-heating and post-heating of the weld, utilising Lumonic’s MS830 Nd:YAG pulsed laser, operating at 1.06 µm with a constant power of 285 W with an argon shielding gas pressure of 5x10⁴ Pa. The in-line process heat treatment was achieved with a fibre optic beam delivery system.

© 1998 IEEE