Optimization of Ti6Al4V titanium alloy laser–arc hybrid weld parameters

Abstract

This article reports the results of a study aimed at using statistical methods to optimize the parameters for laser–arc hybrid butt welding of Ti6Al4V titanium alloy sheets with a thickness of 3.0 mm. The study has examined the effects of the hybrid welding process parameters, such as laser beam power, arc pulse frequency, arc length, arc current, wire speed, laser and arc relative positions, and weld speed. Microstructure has been studied using light microscopy and morphological analysis of weld bead cross sections. This article reports the results of energy and morphological tests.

Keywords:

• CO₂ lasers
• laser welding
• MIG welding
• optimization
• penetration
• process parameters
• sheet
• titanium alloys
• weld shape
• combined processes
• energy input
• GMA welding
• metallography

Acknowledgements

This study is partially funded by MIUR (the Ministry for Education Universities and Research) (Project FIRB RBIP06MYKJ_003). The authors wish to thank CALEF Consortium technical staff R. De Bonis and E. Putignano for their contribution.