Effect of distance between heat sources on droplet transfer behavior and weld formation of AH36 during laser and CWW GMAW arc hybrid welding: Effect of distance between heat sources on droplet transfer behavior and weld formation

In order to analyze the influence of the distance between heat sources ( D LA ) on the welding process, the effects of D LA on the droplet transfer behavior, weld formation characteristics and weld formation mechanism of AH36 in laser and cable-type welding wire gas metal arc welding arc hybrid welding were studied. Real-time photography was conducted using a high-speed camera to determine the droplet transfer and arc behaviors; the surface morphology and macroscopic cross-section of the weld obtained from the experiment were observed and analyzed. The arc height decreases with the increase in the D LA , the arc width shows the opposite change, and the welding current decreases. The allure of the laser to the arc increases with the increase in the D LA . The frequency of droplet transfer increases with the increase in the D LA , but the growth rate decreases. The continuous increase in the D LA leads to the tendency of the droplet size to decrease first and then increase, and the minimum value is obtained when the D LA is 4 mm. The D LA has obvious influence on the weld formation. The weld penetration and reinforcement change similarly, increasing first and then decreasing as the D LA increases, and the laser area of the weld also increases first and then decreases.