A Study on the Welding Characteristics of Dissimilar Metal using a High Power CW Nd:YAG Laser

Laser welding process is widely used in the industrial field due to its numerous advantages: a small heat affected zone(HAZ), deep penetration, high welding speed, ease of automation, single-pass thick section capability, enhanced design flexibility, and small distortion after welding. In this paper, the laser weldability of Austenite stainless steel and INCONEL600 at dissimilar metal welds using a continuous wave Nd:YAG laser are experimentally investigated. INCONEL600 is being used in a steam generator tubing of pressurized water reactor(PWR) exposed to some corrosion. Therefore stress corrosion cracking can occur on this material. A research work is conducted to determine effects of welding parameters, on eliminating or reducing the extent welding zone formation at dissimilar metal welds and to optimize those parameters that have the most influence parameters such as focus length, laser power and welding speed were tested.