Numerical prediction of fusion zone and heat affected zone in hybrid Yb:YAG laser plus GMAW welding process with experimental verification

This work concerns mathematical and numerical modelling of temperature field during hybrid welding process using Yb:YAG laser and electric arc in GMAW method. Numerical analysis is performed taking into account the motion of liquid steel in the fusion zone. Yb: YAG laser power distribution is determined on the basis of experimental research made on TruDisk 12002 laser. Geostatistical Kriging method is used in the interpolation of Yb: YAG laser power intensity distribution. Temperature field and melted material velocity field in the fusion zone of hybrid welded sheets made of S355 steel are obtained on the basis of numerical solution of continuum mechanics equations in Chorin's projection method and finite volume method. Experimental research of laser beam profile is performed in order to verify the correctness of developed heat source model. Fusion zone and heat affected zone geometry is predicted on the basis of calculated temperature field in the cross section of hybrid welded joint. (C) 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.