Product Code: ICAL06_1907

Failure Criteria for Laser and Hybrid Welded Sandwich Panels
Authors:
Kenneth Meinert, Applied Research Laboratory, The Pennsylvania State University; State College PA USA
Richard Martukanitz, Applied Research Laboratory, The Pennsyvania State University; State College PA USA
Donald Koss, Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University; State College PA USA
Presented at ICALEO 2006

Lightweight laser welded structures have been in development for use as structural components for a number of years. Computer models of the structural performance of these materials have been based primarily on the global properties and as yet have not considered the effect of the weld on the properties. The goal of this study is to develop failure criteria for the laser welds that can be included into computer based finite element modeling. The primary objective of the study is to determine when weld failure will occur, so as to design a structure wherein global failure of the structure occurs before individual weld failure. The analysis includes testing of duplex stainless steels welded with both autogenous laser and laser MIG hybrid processes, utilizing different thickness configurations of materials. Process parameters were modified to generate different metallurgical structures in the fusion and heat affected zone, variable weld width at the interface, and different degrees of penetration into the material. The results of testing have been used to generate a failure curve for incorporation into the finite element models.