Laser welding in space
Abstract
Autogenous welds in 304 stainless steel were performed by Nd-YAG laser heating in a simulated space environment. Simulation consists of welding on the NASA KC-135 aircraft to produce the microgravity and by containing the specimen in a vacuum chamber. Experimental results show that the microgravity welds are stronger, harder in the fusion zone, have deeper penetration and have a rougher surface rippling of the weld pool than one-g welds. To perform laser welding in space, a solar-pumped laser concept that significantly increases the laser conversion efficiency and makes welding viable despite the limited power availability of spacecraft is proposed.
- Publication:
-
Welding in Space and the Construction of Space Vehicles by Welding
- Pub Date:
- 1991
- Bibcode:
- 1991wscs.proc..318K
- Keywords:
-
- Aerospace Environments;
- Austenitic Stainless Steels;
- Laser Heating;
- Laser Welding;
- Weld Tests;
- C-135 Aircraft;
- Neodymium Lasers;
- Space Environment Simulation;
- Vacuum Chambers;
- Yag Lasers;
- Astronautics (General)