Abstract
A three-dimensional quasi-steady state heat conduction model is developed for laser welding of sheet metals. The heat flux at the surface of the workpiece is considered to be due to a moving Gaussian laser beam. An analytical expression is obtained for the temperature distribution by solving the conduction problem using the Fourier integral transform technique. This expression is used to locate the melting temperature isotherm, and thereby determine the weld depth and width. Experimental and theoretical results for the weld depths and widths are illustrated for different welding parameters such as the laser power, absorptivity, welding speed, and shielding gas speed. The theory and experiment are found to agree reasonably well. The effects of absorptivity, shielding gas speed, and heat loss due to different contact media at the bottom surface of the workpiece are also investigated, and are found to be significant for thin metal laser welding.
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