TY - CONF A1 - Rethmeier, Michael A1 - Artinov, Antoni A1 - Meng, Xiangmeng A1 - Bakir, Nasim A1 - Üstündag, Ömer A1 - Bachmann, Marcel A1 - Gumenyuk, Andrey T1 - The bulging effect and its relevance in high power laser beam welding N2 - The present work deals with the recently confirmed widening of the weld pool interface, known as a bulging effect, and its relevance in high power laser beam welding. A combined experimental and numerical approach is utilized to study the influence of the bulge on the hot cracking formation and the transport of alloying elements in the molten pool. A technique using a quartz glass, a direct-diode laser illumination, a high-speed camera, and two thermal imaging cameras is applied to visualize the weld pool geometry in the longitudinal section. The study examines the relevance of the bulging effect on both, partial and complete penetration, as well as for different sheet thicknesses ranging from 8 mm to 25 mm. The numerical analysis shows that the formation of a bulge region is highly dependent on the penetration depth and occurs above 10 mm penetration depth. The location of the bulge correlates strongly with the cracking location. The obtained experimental and numerical results reveal that the bulging effect increases the hot cracking susceptibility and limits the transfer of alloying elements from the top of the weld pool to the weld root. T2 - 1st Annual Assembly and Conference of The Welding Federation of Africa (TWF-Africa) CY - Cairo, Egypt DA - 14.03.2023 KW - Laser beam welding KW - Melt pool dinamics PY - 2023 AN - OPUS4-58695 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Meng, Xiangmeng A1 - Putra, Stephen Nugraha A1 - Bachmann, Marcel A1 - Rethmier, Michael T1 - The influence of the spatial laser energy absorption on the molten pool dynamics in high power laser beam welding N2 - The spatial laser energy absorption inside the keyhole is decisive for the dynamic molten pool behaviors and the resultant weld properties in high-power laser beam welding (LBW). In this paper, a numerical simulation of the LBW process, considering the 3D transient heat transfer, fluid flow, and keyhole dynamics, is implemented, in which the free surface is tracked by the volume-of-fluid algorithm. The underlying laser-material interactions i.e., the multiple reflections and Fresnel absorption, are considered by an advanced ray-tracing method based on a localized Level-Set strategy and a temperature-dependent absorption coefficient. The laser energy absorption is analyzed from a time-averaged point of view for a better statistical representation. It is found for the first time that a noticeable drop of the time-averaged laser energy absorption occurs at the focus position of the laser beam, and the rest region of the keyhole has relatively homogenous absorbed energy. This unique absorption pattern may lead to a certain keyhole instability and have a strong correlation with the detrimental bulging and narrowing phenomena in the molten pool. The influence of the different focus positions of the laser beam on the keyhole dynamics and molten pool profile is also analyzed and compared. The obtained numerical results are compared with experimental measurements to assure the validity of the proposed model. T2 - International Congress of Applications of Lasers & Electro-Optics 2023 CY - Chicago, Illinois, USA DA - 16.10.2023 KW - Laser beam welding KW - Laser energy absorption KW - Molten pool KW - Keyhole dynamics KW - Numerical modeling PY - 2023 AN - OPUS4-58755 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Yang, Chunliang A1 - Yang, Fan A1 - Meng, Xiangmeng A1 - Bachmann, Marcel A1 - Putra, Stephen Nugraha A1 - Rethmeier, Michael T1 - Experimental and numerical study on grain refinement in electromagnetic assisted laser beam welding of 5754 al alloy N2 - Through experimental observation and auxiliary numerical simulation, this investigation studies the different types of grain refinement of 5754 aluminum alloy laser beam welding by applying a transverse oscillating magnetic field. Scanning electron microscope results have proved that the application of a magnetic field can reduce the average crystal branch width and increase its number. The interaction between the induced eddy current generated by the Seebeck effect and the applied external magnetic field produces a Lorentz force, which is important for the increase in the number of crystal branches. Based on the theory of dendrite fragmentation and the magnetic field-induced branches increment, the grain size reduction caused by the magnetic field is studied. Furthermore, the effects of the magnetic field are ana lyzed by combining a phase field method model and simulations of nucleation and grain growth. The grain distribution and average grain size after welding verify the reliability of the model. In addition, the introduction of a magnetic field can increase the number of periodic three-dimensional solidification patterns. In the intersection of two periods of solidification patterns, the metal can be re-melted and then re-solidified, which prevents the grains, that have been solidified and formed previously, from further growth and generates some small cel lular grains in the new fusion line. The magnetic field increases the building frequency of these solidification structures and thus promotes this kind of grain refinement. T2 - ICALEO 2023 CY - Chicago, IL, USA DA - 16.10.2023 KW - Laser beam welding KW - Magnetic field KW - Crystal branch development KW - Grain refinement KW - Periodic solidification pattern PY - 2023 AN - OPUS4-58493 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Meng, Xiangmeng T1 - Numerical study of additional element transport in wire feed laser beam welding N2 - The distribution of the alloying elements from the filler wire in laser beam welding plays an important role on the property of the final weld. In this study, the transport phenomena in the wire feed laser beam welding are investigated numerically. A three-dimensional transient heat transfer and fluid flow model coupled with free surface tracing and element transport is developed. A ray-tracing method with local grid refinement algorithm is used to calculate the multiple reflections and Fresnel absorption on the keyhole wall. The filler material flows backward along the lateral side of the weld pool, and subsequently flows forward along the longitudinal plane to bring the additional alloying elements to the forepart of the weld pool. The occurrence of the bulging phenomenon may further prevent the downward transfer of the additional elements to the root of the weld pool. The numerical results show a good agreement with the experimental fusion line and element distribution. T2 - 11th CIRP Conference on Photonic Technologies [LANE 2020] CY - Online meeting DA - 07.09.2020 KW - Laser beam welding KW - Element transport KW - Filler material PY - 2020 AN - OPUS4-51568 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Meng, Xiangmeng T1 - A numerical study on the suppression of a detrimental weld pool profile in wire feed laser beam welding by MHD technique N2 - The weld quality and the possible defect formation are directly determined by the weld pool shape and the thermo-fluid dynamics therein. In this paper, an untypical weld pool profile, i.e., elongated at its top and bottom but narrowed at the middle, is found experimentally and numerically in the wire feed laser beam welding. The detrimental influence of the weld pool narrowing on the element transport is analyzed and discussed. A magnetohydrodynamic technique is utilized to suppress the narrowing, aiming at a more homogenous element distribution. It is found that a low-temperature region is formed in the middle of the weld pool due to the interaction of the two dominant circulations from the top and bottom regions. The weld pool is significantly narrowed due to the untypical growth of the mushy zone in the low-temperature region, which results in a direct blocking effect on the downward flow and the premature solidification in the middle region. The Lorentz force produced by a transverse oscillating magnetic field shows the potential to change the flow pattern into a single-circulation type and the low-temperature-gradient region is mitigated. Therefore, the downward transfer channel is widened, and its premature solidification is prevented. The numerical results are well validated by experimental measurements of metal/glass observation and X-ray fluorescence element mapping. T2 - The 13th International Seminar "Numerical Analysis of Weldability" CY - Graz, Austria DA - 04.09.2022 KW - Thermo-fluid flow KW - Element transport KW - Laser beam welding KW - Magnetohydrodynamics KW - Multi-physical modeling PY - 2022 AN - OPUS4-55780 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Meng, Xiangmeng T1 - An investigation of keyhole dynamics and porosity mitigation in laser beam welding with external magnetic field N2 - The macro and micro benefits from a magnetic field have been well recognized in the laser beam welding, but the influence mechanism, especially on the local keyhole dynamics, is yet not fully understood. A combination of experimental approach and numerical modeling was conducted to study the highly transient keyhole dynamics under the magnetic field. It was found that the magnetic field gave a direct impact on the laser energy absorption at the keyhole front wall. The keyhole-induced porosity was suppressed under the influence of the magnetic field, which was confirmed by the micro-X-ray computed tomography. The porosity mitigation comes from multiple physical aspects, including keyhole stabilization, widening of the bubble floating channel, and the electromagnetic expulsive force. The predicted penetration depth and weld pool profiles with/without magnetic field show a good agreement with the experimental measurements, including optical micrographs and in-situ metal/glass observation. T2 - The 75th IIW Annual Assembly and International Conference CY - Tokyo, Japan DA - 17.07.2022 KW - Laser beam welding (LBW) KW - Keyhole dynamics KW - Porosity KW - Magnetic field KW - Multi-physical modeling PY - 2022 AN - OPUS4-55781 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Meng, Xiangmeng T1 - The influence of the free surface reconstruction on the spatial laser energy distribution in high power laser beam welding modeling N2 - An accurate and efficient description of the spatial distribution of laser energy is a crucial factor for the modeling of laser material processing, e.g., laser welding, laser cutting, or laser-based additive manufacturing. In this study, a 3D heat transfer and fluid flow model coupled with the volume-of-fluid algorithm for free surface tracking is developed for the simulation of molten pool dynamics in high-power laser beam welding. The underlying laser-material interactions, i.e., the multiple reflections and Fresnel absorption, are considered by a ray-tracing method. Two strategies of free surface reconstruction used in the ray-tracing method are investigated: a typical piecewise linear interface calculation (PLIC)-based method and a novel localized Level-Set method. The PLIC-based method is discrete, resulting in non-continuous free surface reconstruction. In the localized Level-Set method, a continuous free surface is reconstructed, and thus the exact reflection points can be determined. The calculated spatial laser energy distribution and the corresponding molten pool dynamics from the two methods are analyzed and compared. The obtained numerical results are evaluated with experimental measurements to assure the validity of the proposed model. It is found that distinct patterns of the beam multiple reflections are obtained with the different free surface reconstructions, which shows significant influence not only on the molten pool behaviors but also on the localized keyhole dynamics. T2 - The 41st annual International Congress on Applications of Lasers & Electro-Optics CY - Orlando, FL, USA DA - 17.10.2022 KW - Laser beam welding KW - Laser energy distribution KW - Weld pool dynamics KW - Ray-tracing PY - 2022 AN - OPUS4-56312 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Meng, Xiangmeng T1 - A statistical investigation of the laser energy absorption and keyhole stability in high-power laser beam welding N2 - The behaviour of the weld pool in high-power laser beam welding is significantly influenced by laser absorption and keyhole stability, which determines the final weld qualities. However, their dynamic features and multi-coupled interactions make in-depth analyses difficult. This study addresses the challenges by conducting a thorough statistical evaluation of the effects of welding parameters on laser absorption and keyhole fluctuations, using experimental investigations and a well-validated numerical model. From a statistical aspect, the laser energy distribution and the keyhole collapse, commonly considered highly time-varying, show clear regularities. Three distinct regions of the time-averaged energy distribution are identified. The possibility of the keyhole collapse positions obeys a universal normal distribution. The statistical data show greater potential in revealing some well-known, industry-related but unclearly explained findings, such as the saturation of the weld penetration with increasing heat input and the physical basis of the contributions of different welding parameters in the porosity reduction. T2 - The 14th International Seminar Numerical Analysis of Weldability CY - Graz, Austria DA - 21.09.2025 KW - Laser beam welding KW - Energy absorption KW - Keyhole stability KW - Multi-physics modelling PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-64811 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Meng, Xiangmeng T1 - A statistical assessment of the laser energy absorption and keyhole stability in high-power laser welding N2 - The behavior of the weld pool in high-power laser beam welding is significantly influenced by laser absorption and keyhole stability, which determines the final weld qualities. However, their dynamic features and multi-coupled interactions make in-depth analyses difficult. This study addresses the challenges by conducting a thorough statistical evaluation of the effects of welding parameters on laser absorption and keyhole fluctuations, using experimental investigations and a well-validated numerical model. From a statistical aspect, the laser energy distribution and the keyhole collapse, commonly considered to be highly time-varying, show clear regularities. Three distinct regions of the time-averaged energy distribution are identified. The possibility of the keyhole collapse positions obeys a universal normal distribution. The statistical data show greater potential in revealing some well-known, industry-related but unclearly explained findings, such as the saturation of the weld penetration with increasing heat input and the physical basis of the contributions of different welding parameters in the porosity reduction. T2 - 78th IIW Annual Assembly CY - Genoa, Italy DA - 22.06.2025 KW - Laser beam welding KW - Energy absorption KW - Keyhole stability PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-64810 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Meng, Xiangmeng T1 - Prediction of porosity formation in high power laser beam welding using physics informed machine learning framework N2 - The applications of the high-power laser beam welding process are often hindered by the occurrence of the porosity defect. However, an accurate prediction and an insight of the porosity formation are still challenging due to the highly nonlinear physics involved in the dynamic weld pool and keyhole behaviours. In this paper, the effects of relevant physical variables related to the porosity defect are evaluated by utilizing mechanistic modelling and experimental data within a physics-informed machine learning (PIML) framework. With a proper selection of the physical variables (features) in the aspects of keyhole stability, liquid metal flow and weld pool geometry, which correspondingly describes the bubble formation, bubble movement and bubble capture by the solidification front, the PIML shows great superiority in predicting the porosity ratio in the laser welding of aluminium in comparison with conventional ML model using welding parameters. The Shapley Additive Explanations analysis is employed to provide a hierarchical importance of the variables on the defect formation. T2 - 77th IIW Annual Assembly and International Conference CY - Rhodes, Greece DA - 07.07.2024 KW - Laser beam welding KW - Machine learning KW - Porosity KW - Modelling PY - 2024 AN - OPUS4-61610 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -