Research progress of laser welding under subatmospheric pressure

• Published in: International journal of advanced manufacturing technology Vol. 116; no. 3-4; pp. 803 - 820
• Main Authors: Yang, Fan, Xia, Guangjie, Guo, Xing, Chen, Canyang, Long, Yu, Chen, Binghua, Tang, Jinglong, Chen, Genyu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Springer London 01.09.2021; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: CAE) and Design; Computer-Aided Engineering (CAD; Critical Review; Engineering; Industrial and Production Engineering; Laser beam welding; Lasers; Mechanical Engineering; Mechanical properties; Media Management; Morphology; Penetration depth; Mechanical properties; Vacuum; Subatmospheric environment; Microstructure; Laser welding
• ISSN: 0268-3768; 1433-3015
• DOI: 10.1007/s00170-021-07488-3

With the rapid development of laser sources and welding technologies in recent years, laser welding has been widely used in the production. In laser welding process, plasma plume often shields the input energy and defocuses the laser beam, which has significant influences on the welding efficiency and quality. It has been found that laser welding under subatmospheric environment could effectively suppress plasma plume, increase weld penetration depth, improve weld pool stability, reduce spatter and undercut, and obtain high-quality weld. After a comprehensive review of the latest research results, the plasma plume, molten pool dynamics, weld morphology, microstructure, and mechanical characteristics of various materials during laser welding under subatmospheric environment are analyzed. Finally, the future research works are discussed aiming at some remaining issues in this topic.