on welding stainless steel, I discovered that the penetration depth decreases by increasing power, what are the possible reasons for that?
As far as I understand, the laser power is constant but welding speed is increased? If so then higher welding speed means less heat input, kJ/mm, i.e. less energy per the weld seam length to form a keyhole
The cause of this effect may be clouds of metal plasma which defends welding pool from laser beam. Especially, if you use CO2 laser and continuous wave mode
Laser generate Key Hole penetration, however, beyond certain critical speed at constant power, the weld shape changes to broad type. Therefore at constant heat Input, varying the speed can reverse depth of penetration
This phenomenon will only occur when laser interaction leads to dense metallic vapour formation near the surface. This dense vapours lowers the actual heat penetration . Please do cross check from lowest possible laser power and observe . This phenomenon only occurs after a threshold power density.
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