During high power laser beam welding, hazardous UV-radiation and short-wavelength visible (blue-) light is emitted by the high temperature plasma above the weldingkeyhole. Spectral measurements of the plasma emission show that the allowed dose for UV-radiation and blue-light exposure per work day can be exceeded in as short as a few seconds. Even more hazardous UV emissions are produced when the welding processing parameters are not optimised and plasma shielding occurs.

Topics
Ultraviolet light, Laser beam welding
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© 1997 Laser Institute of America.
1997
Laser Institute of America
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