Effects of operating parameters on the static properties of pulsed laser welded zinc-coated steel

The paper presents an analysis of the influences of the dominant parameters of the pulsed Nd:YAG laser seam welding process on the static behaviour of the welds. These parameters include average peak power density (APPD), mean laser power, traverse speeds, pulse duration, and pulse shapes. Three typical temporal pulse types - ramp-up, ramp-down, and "rectangular" power pulses were used in this study. Laser seam welds were produced in 0.7 mm thick electrogalvanised steel sheets. A number of destructive tests of pulsed Nd:YAG laser welded zinc-coated steel sheet have been carried out to characterise the static properties of welds including hardness, bending strength, and ductility. An experimental study of acceptable welds revealed that the hardness was affected only by the traverse speed. The bend strength was increased with decreasing travel speed and increasing pulsed laser parameters. It was found that the operating parameters have no effect on the tensile strengths of the welds.