K. Stelling, M. Lammers, H. Schobbert, Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), Berlin, Germany; T. Boellinghaus, Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Germany, Berlin, Germany

Summary: Using a newly developed plasma powder hybrid torch, welding experiments are performed in the vertical-up and vertical-down position on stainless steel plates (3 to 6 mm thickness). The geometrical and energetic parameters, e.g. plasma torch angle, arc current, laser power, are varied and optimized for the respective welding application.