Aluminum welding with the diode-pumped solid state laser (DPSSL) DP-11 (TRW) including spectral data Available to Purchase

Experiments were carried out on aluminum alloy 5754 using TRW’s DP-11, a 500 W average power, high brightness diode-pumped solid state laser (DPSSL). The effects from combinations of different pulse formats, focal lengths, focus positions and traverse speeds on the depth of penetration were examined. Also, Al I spectral lines emitted from the vapor plume were recorded via a spectrometer in conjunction with an ICCD. Employing a 150 mm focal length lens resulted in full penetration of 3 mm Al 5754 sheets at traverse speeds of up to 0.8 cm/s (20 ipm). A 200 mm lens resulted in full penetration for traverse speeds of up to 0.2 cm/s (5 ipm). Using emission spectroscopic techniques, temperatures in the vapor plume were found to be higher for lower traverse speeds, and ranged from 10,000-35,000 K.