Analysis of mechanism of plasma and spatter in CO2 laser welding of galvanized steel

In laser welding, quality, reproducibility and formability are required. That is the great problem in the automation of the laser welding process. Therefore, construction of an on-line process monitoring system of high accuracy is requested. The light which is emitted from plasma and spatter in laser welding was detected by photodiodes. It was found that the light intensity depends on welding speed, laser power and flow rate of assist gas. The relationship between the plasma and spatter and the bead shape, and the mechanism of plasma and spatter were analyzed for on-line laser weld monitoring systems.