Effect of energy parameters on weld shaping for hybrid laser plasma welding of titanium alloy

The characteristic of weld shaping for both hybrid laser/plasma welding and single laser welding of titanium alloy was compared and the effect of major energy parameters on weld shaping for hybrid laser/plasma welding was investigated.It showed that the weld cross section with both laserwelding processes transformed from nail shape to near X shape with increase of laser power and decrease of welding speed.The strengthen height and the undercut of weld were larger with hybrid laser/plasma welding than those with single laser welding. The interaction between laser beam and plasma arc, which changed with laser power and welding speed, had an important influence on weld width and ratio of bottom to top width of weld. When welding current increased from 0 to 60 A, the weld width increased slightly and the ratio of bottom to top width of weld kept constant.