Grant: Alliance Grants
University of Waterloo
$110,000.00
Metallurgical study of robotic laser and laser-arc hybrid brazing of coated advanced high strength steels using Cu-based filler materials
FY 2024-25
Summary
The proposed collaborative research and development project between the University of Waterloo, the Canadian Welding Bureau(CWB), an organization with numerous Canadian industrial clients, Huys Industries and others aims to train several HQPs in the development and optimization of robotic laser and laser-arc hybrid brazing of different types of coated advanced high strength steels (AHSSs) using various types of Cu-based filler materials with a focus on investigating the fundamental mechanisms controlling metallurgical bonding at the joint interface and critical conditions controlling joint efficiency. To improve passenger safety and fuel economy, automotive companies have been integrating newer generations of AHSSs with higher strength and ductility into vehicle assemblies. However, these steels are highly susceptible to welding defects that arise during conventional fusion joining using arc, laser, and resistance spot welding. Consequently, several types of novel non-fusion weld-brazing processes (i.e., laser, laser-arc hybrid, and laser hot-wire brazing) have been proposed for the joining of newer AHSSs that significantly minimize defects like porosity, blowholes, and Zn-coating burn-off while also decreasing the detrimental effects of heat-affected zone softening. Different types of AHSSs with different types of coatings (i.e., galvanized, galvannealed, and ZnAlMg etc.) and various types of Cu-based filler materials will be sourced from our industrial partners, who will help guide the research direction of the project based on issues that are highly relevant within the steel, automotive and welding and joining industries. This research work will provide a comprehensive investigation that links different aspects of the processing technology to the resulting microstructure and phase transformations, and their associated mechanical properties. The project outcomes will directly contribute to the competitiveness of Canadian steel and zinc, welding consumables, and automotive industries that rely on the CWB for technical knowledge on welding and joining related issues. This research will allow for this new technology to be adopted more freely in current manufacturing setups used in advanced joining applications.
Program
Alliance Grants
Recipient
Location
Ontario, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
576754-2022
Name nom
Zhou, Norman YN
Department département
Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics
Organization id
33
Institution établissement
University of Waterloo
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2024
Competition year année de concours
2022
Award amount
110000
Program id
ALLRP
Program name en
Alliance Grants
Program name fr
Subventions Alliance
Group en
RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS
Group fr
PARTENARIATS DE RECHERCHE
Committee code
96
Committee name en
RPP Internal Decision Cttee
Committee name fr
Cté de décision interne - PPR
Area of application code
1208
Area of application group en
Advancement of knowledge
Area of application group fr
Avancement des connaissances
Area of application en
Materials sciences
Area of application fr
Sciences des matériaux
Research subject code
2002
Research subject group en
Materials science and technology
Research subject group fr
Science et technologie des matériaux
Research subject en
Materials processing
Research subject fr
Transformation des matériaux
Field of research list names en
Not available
Field of research list names fr
Non disponible
Socioeconomic objective list names en
Not available
Socioeconomic objective list names fr
Non disponible
Application title
Metallurgical study of robotic laser and laser-arc hybrid brazing of coated advanced high strength steels using Cu-based filler materials
Keywords
advanced high strength steels; advanced materials processing; automated laser brazing; cu-based brazing filler materials; interfacial phenomena and metallurgy; laser-arc hybrid brazing; microstructural characterization; non-fusion joining techniques; thermomechanical testing; zn-coated steels
Application summary
The proposed collaborative research and development project between the University of Waterloo, the Canadian Welding Bureau(CWB), an organization with numerous Canadian industrial clients, Huys Industries and others aims to train several HQPs in the development and optimization of robotic laser and laser-arc hybrid brazing of different types of coated advanced high strength steels (AHSSs) using various types of Cu-based filler materials with a focus on investigating the fundamental mechanisms controlling metallurgical bonding at the joint interface and critical conditions controlling joint efficiency. To improve passenger safety and fuel economy, automotive companies have been integrating newer generations of AHSSs with higher strength and ductility into vehicle assemblies. However, these steels are highly susceptible to welding defects that arise during conventional fusion joining using arc, laser, and resistance spot welding. Consequently, several types of novel non-fusion weld-brazing processes (i.e., laser, laser-arc hybrid, and laser hot-wire brazing) have been proposed for the joining of newer AHSSs that significantly minimize defects like porosity, blowholes, and Zn-coating burn-off while also decreasing the detrimental effects of heat-affected zone softening. Different types of AHSSs with different types of coatings (i.e., galvanized, galvannealed, and ZnAlMg etc.) and various types of Cu-based filler materials will be sourced from our industrial partners, who will help guide the research direction of the project based on issues that are highly relevant within the steel, automotive and welding and joining industries. This research work will provide a comprehensive investigation that links different aspects of the processing technology to the resulting microstructure and phase transformations, and their associated mechanical properties. The project outcomes will directly contribute to the competitiveness of Canadian steel and zinc, welding consumables, and automotive industries that rely on the CWB for technical knowledge on welding and joining related issues. This research will allow for this new technology to be adopted more freely in current manufacturing setups used in advanced joining applications.
