Effect of Droplet Transition on the Dynamic Behavior of the Keyhole during 6061 Aluminum Alloy Laser-MIG Hybrid Welding

摘要

Abstract The simulation method in laser-MIG hybrid welding, which involves two heat sources and multiple welding parameters, is beneficial to reveal the complex physical phenomena and dynamic behavior of molten pool keyhole during welding process. In this investigation, laser-MIG hybrid welding for 6-mm-thick 6061 aluminum alloy was performed under different heat input by the high-power disc laser, MIG welding system and KUKA Robot. The high-speed camera system was used to observe the droplet transition phenomenon in the welding process. Besides, a thermal-fluid coupling model was established to simulate the temperature field and flow field, which were changed by the droplet transfer during laser-MIG hybrid welding. The experimental and simulated results showed that the droplet transition behavior affected the formation of the keyhole. The keyhole was the smallest when the droplet contacted the molten pool. In addition, the droplet transition brought external momentum and energy to the molten pool, which was conducive to the increase of the flow rate of the molten pool.