IP Library Granted Patent US 9,616,527
Granted Patent B2
US 9,616,527 · App. 11/826,111 · Granted Apr 11, 2017

Process for laser-arc hybrid welding aluminized metal workpieces

Inventors: Francis Briand (Paris, FR); Olivier Dubet (Franconville, FR); Corinne Chovet (Conflans Ste Honorine, FR)
Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude
B23K26/1429B23K26/26B23K26/32B23K26/322B23K2201/34B23K2203/04B23K2203/10B23K2203/50
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,616,527
App. No.
11/826,111
Granted
Apr 11, 2017
Kind
B2
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).

Claims (17)

1. A process for laser welding at least one metal workpiece ( 1 ) by a laser beam ( 3 ), wherein the metal workpiece comprises a surface coating ( 2 ) and a lateral edge surface deposit ( 2 a , 2 b ) on a lateral edge surface ( 1 a ) of the metal workpiece, wherein the surface coating ( 2 ) and surface deposit ( 2 a , 2 b ) each contains mainly aluminum and silicon, and wherein the metal workpiece lateral edge ( 1 a ) has been previously formed by a cut by shearing, the process comprising the step of applying the laser beam ( 3 ) in combination with at least one electric arc ( 4 ) to melt the metal of the workpiece ( 1 ) and the lateral edge surface deposit ( 2 a , 2 b ) to thereby weld the at least one metal workpiece ( 1 ) without formation of local aluminum concentrations in the weld of greater than 1.2%.

2. The process of claim 1 , wherein the surface coating ( 2 ) has a thickness (E) of between 5 and 45 μm.

3. The process of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the workpiece ( 1 ) is made of steel.

4. The process of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the workpieces ( 1 ) has a thickness of between 0.5 and 4 mm.

5. The process of claim 1 , wherein the arc ( 4 ) is delivered by a tungsten welding electrode ( 5 ) or forms at the end of a consumable wire ( 6 ).

6. The process of claim 1 , wherein two workpieces ( 1 ) brought into a position with their edges butting each other are welded, or the two edges of one and the same workpiece, which have been brought together, in particular the two longitudinal edges of a tube, are welded.

7. The process of claim 1 , wherein during the welding, a gas shield is provided on at least part of the weld bead using a shielding gas chosen from helium/argon mixtures or pure argon.

8. The process of claim 1 , wherein the laser beam ( 3 ) is generated by a laser generator of the CO 2 , Nd:YAG, diode or ytterbium-doped fibre type.

9. The process of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the workpiece ( 1 ) has a thickness of between 0.8 and 2.5 mm.

10. The process of claim 2 wherein at least one of the workpieces ( 1 ) is made of steel.

11. The process of claim 3 , wherein at least one of the workpieces ( 1 ) has a thickness of between 0.5 and 4 mm.

12. The process of claim 11 , wherein at least one of the workpiece ( 1 ) has a thickness of between 0.8 and 2.5 mm.

13. The process of claim 10 , wherein at least one of the workpieces ( 1 ) has a thickness of between 0.5 and 4 mm.

14. The process of claim 13 , wherein the arc ( 4 ) is delivered by a tungsten welding electrode ( 5 ) or forms at the end of a consumable wire ( 6 ).

15. The process of claim 14 , wherein two workpieces ( 1 ) brought into a position with their edges butting each other are welded, or the two edges of one and the same workpiece, which have been brought together, in particular the two longitudinal edges of a tube, are welded.

16. The process of claim 15 , wherein during the welding, a gas shield is provided on at least part of the weld bead using a shielding gas chosen from helium/argon mixtures or pure argon.

17. The process of claim 16 , wherein the laser beam ( 3 ) is generated by a laser generator of the CO 2 , Nd:YAG, diode or ytterbium-doped fibre type.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 12, 2007
From: BRIAND, FRANCIS; DUBET, OLIVIER; CHOVET, CORINNE
To: L'AIR LIQUIDE SOCIETE ANONYME POUR L'ETUDE ET L'EXPLOITATION DES PROCEDES GEORGES CLAUDE
Reel/Frame 019595/0723 →
Priority Claims (1)
FR 06 52928 · Jul 12, 2006 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20080011720A1 · Jan 17, 2008