Laser welding of lightweight structural steel panels

Abstract

The Applied Research Laboratory, The Pennsylvania University (ARL Penn State) has developed a relatively low heat input high power carbon dioxide (CO2) robotic laser beam welding (LBW) technique for fabrication of lightweight corrugated core steel sandwich structures. Both HSLA 80 and type 316L stainless steel structures have been produced. Over 276 test panels ranging in size from 3″ × 5″ to 8′ × 8′ have been produced. Specimens have been rigorously tested by the Carderock Division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) private industry and foreign Governments and have been evaluated in terms of static and dynamic strengths, fatigue, fire, acoustics, thermal and insulation performance, and corrosion resistance. Lightweight corrugated core steel panels (LASCOR) fabricated by ARL Penn State have been shown to have exceeded or met the performance requirements established by NSWC in the areas of weight, fire, weld fatigue, static strength, thermal and insulation performance. Additional work has been conducted by NSWC in the area of blast analysis. Development of fabrication procedures, testing and evaluation procedures, and results to-date will be reviewed.