LASER BEAM WELDING OF HIGH STRENGTH STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS

Objective

The major project results are:
- welding tolerances improvement,
- software to predict the molten zone 3D shape,
- development of on-line control
- mechanical law for weld characterization,
- mechanical characterization,
- welding of large scale specimens.

An economical evaluation has been carried out by the industrial partners. At this time, the high investment cost is a major limitation for the industrial development of laser welding process.
Five industrial target applications concerning European mechanical industry (off-shore,railway and tube transportation, energy generation girders) have been identified. The proposal research is directed at developing new applications of CO2 laser welding in these areas. Various technologies which allow to improve process efficiency in terms of weldability, welding tolerances, welding positions and control of process parameter fluctuations will be developed. Moreover a research activity concerns the mechanical characterisation of welds (in terms of non linear fracture mechanics and local approach). In the second part of this project, specimens representative of "industrial target applications" will be welded, then mechanically tested.

The major research tasks are the following:

- improvement of material weldability

- improvement of weld quality

- improvement of process reliability(on-line control)

- mechanical characteristics measurement for process certification.

Along this research activity duration, the technological innovation and laser welding process will be analyses in terms of economical interest.

Fields of science

• natural sciences › computer and information sciences › software
• natural sciences › physical sciences › optics › laser physics
• social sciences › law

Programme(s)

• FP3-BRITE/EURAM 2 - Specific programme (EEC) of research and technological development in the field of industrial and materials technologies, 1990-1994

Topic(s)

• 2.2.1 - Tools, techniques and systems for high quality manufacturing

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

Alcatel Alsthom Recherche

Address

Route De Nozay
91460 Marcoussis
France

Participants (5)

AESA

Spain

Address

Padilla, 17
28006 Madrid

FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.*

Germany

Address

Steinbachstrasse 15
52074 Aachen

INSTITUTO MADRILENO DE TECNOLOGIA SA

Spain

Address

Ctra De Valencia Km7
28031 Madrid

THYSSEN EDELSTAHLWERKE AG

Germany

Address

Oberschlesienstraße 16
4150 Krefeld

Établissement Technique Central de l'Armement

France

Address

16 Bis Avenue Prieur De La Côte D'or
94110 Arcueil