A Novel Method of Supporting the Laser Welding Process with Mechanical Acoustic Vibrations

The research described in this article presents a new contactless method of introducing mechanical vibrations into the base material during CO₂ laser welding of low-carbon steel. The experimental procedure boiled down to subjecting a P235GH steel pipe with a 60 mm diameter, 3.2 mm wall thickness and 500 mm length to acoustic signals with a resonant frequency during the welding process. Acoustic vibrations with a frequency of 1385, 110 and 50 Hz were introduced into the pipe along the axis and transversely from the outer surface. The obtained welds were then subjected to structural tests and Vickers hardness measurements. The results of comparative tests show the impact of such introduced vibrations on the granular structure of the welds, as well as on their microhardness in specific areas, such as the face, penetration depth and the heat-affected zone. The effectiveness of the proposed method of introducing vibrations in the scope of grain size and shape as well as changes in the hardness distribution in the obtained welds is demonstrated.