A keyhole model in penetration welding with a laser

Discusses the interaction of conditions in the liquid metal surrounding the keyhole which is formed when a laser is used as the source of power for welding, with conditions in the vapor itself. The transfer of power and matter across the interface is considered, and a simple model set up for the energy interchange and vapor flow in the keyhole itself. The principal processes are identified. The model is then used to calculate keyhole shapes, and the variation with depth of the related quantities is found.