Weldability of mild steel with oxide film in high power CO2 laser welding

Abstract

Influence of oxide film, such as laser cutting edge or mill-scale, on solidification crack formation in high power CO2 laser of mild steel was investigated. Laser welding test of butt joints were performed. Examinations were made on the solidification crack formation. The results of these experiments lead to understanding that (1) excess oxygen supplied from oxide film causes solidification crack as well as porosity and (2) influence of oxygen content is bigger than that of sulfur when there is excess oxygen in the weld. It is considered that these are attributed to change of molten metal flow and drop of melting point such as sulfur. These results suggest that reduction of oxide film thickness or killing oxygen activity by supplementary deoxidizing elements may produce acceptable weld.