A near-vertical approach to laser narrow gap multi-layer welding

A novel, near-vertical approach to the usually horizontal laser Narrow Gap Multi-Layer Welding process is introduced. The process is applied to join X100 pipeline steel and studied through High Speed Imaging. The produced welded joints are compared to their horizontally welded counterparts using 3D scanning, longitudinal & perpendicular cross sections and Computed Tomography analysis. The near-vertical approach is found to be robust and produce welded joints with a uniform appearance. The top surface exhibits certain reoccurring morphological features, and variations in internal track melting boundaries are observed. Any observed cavities appear similar to those produced using the horizontal process, with the difference of their orientation. A combination of the horizontal and the near-vertical process could be beneficial; the near-vertical approach offers potential for shorter inter-layer time and the horizontal method for better surface finish than that of its counterpart. Potential benefits of, and improvements to, the near-vertical process are discussed.