VERFAHREN ZUM VERBINDEN VON WERKSTOFFEN MITTELS LASERSTRAHLUNG

• Main Author: BANAS, CONRAD MARTIN, BOLTON, CONN. (V.ST.A.)
• Format: Patent
• Language: German
• Published: 20.12.1979
• Subjects: BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; DEVICES USING STIMULATED EMISSION; ELECTRICITY; MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; TRANSPORTING; WELDING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM

A method of material processing, in particular welding, utilizing high frequency interruption of a continuous wave beam of radiation is disclosed. The pulses of laser radiation are generated at a pulse repetition rate more rapid than the thermal response time of the material, typically greater than one kilohertz, wherein the material reacts with the pulses such that the characteristics of the surface reflectivity of the material are dominated by the peak power in the pulse and the characteristics of the melting of the material are controlled by the average power of the pulses. The duration of each pulse is controlled to be less than the time required to generate a beam absorbing plasma adjacent the weld zone. The absence of beam absorbing plasma and the efficient destruction of the reflectivity of the surface of the material results in increased welding efficiency and/or increased welding speed.