Abstract: The effect of laser power on welding process stability and the formation of weld were investigated during Nd:YAG laser-short circuit MAG hybrid welding in this paper.The results showed that laser power was an important welding parameter which could affect welding process stability.When short-circuit MAG welding process combined with laser power,welding process would become stable.But it was not true that welding stability would rise with laser power increased.The most stable welding process presented when laser power was lower.So according to the laser power,Nd:YAG laser-short circuit MAG hybrid welding could be classified into three stages,the stabilizing arc stage with lower laser nower,transition stage and deepening weld penetration stage with higher laser power.Finally,the reasons for how laser made arc to be more stable were analyzed.