Development of the laser spot welded stainless steel panel for vehicle body

Abstract

To evaluate the mechanical properties in which the laser spot welded stainless steel panel for vehicle body applications is applied as outside plates to improve corrosion resistance and heat hardiness of conventional aluminium honeycomb panels, the static and fatigue tests were carried out. This panel consists of two face sheets and truss shaped corrugation core. They are assembled by the laser spot welding and the feature of this panel is that the weld mark are not existed in outside face sheet of panels. A conventional 300 W pulse Nd:YAG laser with optical fibre and focusing system is applied for spot welding between face sheets and corrugated core. Outside face sheet thickness is 1.0 mm, inside face sheet thickness is 0.8 mm, and core thickness is 0.4 mm. Especially to weld outside face sheet and core, closely controlled laser beam is irradiated from core side to obtain half penetration condition in outside face sheet. The laser spot welded stainless steel panel is sufficient for application as a structural material for any kind of vehicle bodies.To evaluate the mechanical properties in which the laser spot welded stainless steel panel for vehicle body applications is applied as outside plates to improve corrosion resistance and heat hardiness of conventional aluminium honeycomb panels, the static and fatigue tests were carried out. This panel consists of two face sheets and truss shaped corrugation core. They are assembled by the laser spot welding and the feature of this panel is that the weld mark are not existed in outside face sheet of panels. A conventional 300 W pulse Nd:YAG laser with optical fibre and focusing system is applied for spot welding between face sheets and corrugated core. Outside face sheet thickness is 1.0 mm, inside face sheet thickness is 0.8 mm, and core thickness is 0.4 mm. Especially to weld outside face sheet and core, closely controlled laser beam is irradiated from core side to obtain half penetration condition in outside face sheet. The laser spot welded stainless steel panel is sufficient for application as a struc...