• Journal of Welding and Joining
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.85-95
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• 1997

This study is to investigate the optimum conditions of Nd:YAG laser beam welding for Zircaloy-4 end cap closure by optical fiber transmission. Laser welding parameters which affect the penetration depth and bead width were experimentally examined using the various beam radius by the beam quality analyzer, joint geometries of end cap and the laser parameters which mean pulse width, repetition rate and pulse energy. Also, an optimum welding speed and the effect of assistant gas with varying the flow rate of He were investigated. We found that the laser average power for the end cap welding will be 230W and rotation speed must not exceed 8 RPM, the best position of focus using optical fiber with 600.mu.m will be 2 to 3mm below the surface of the material.

• Journal of Welding and Joining
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.81-92
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• 1996

This study is to compare the weldability of Zircaloy-4 end cap of nuclear fuel pin using by GTA and Nd :YAG LB. The welding parameters which affect bead width and penetration depth have been investigated. The effect of joint geometry of end cap for GTAW and LBW has been studied and optimum conditions of Zircaloy-4 endcap welding have been found. Microstructures and microhardness of GTA and LB welded zones have been also compared.