• Laser Solutions
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.1-9
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• 2006

In this paper, we investigated the characteristics of fatigue fracture on TB(Tailored Blank) weldment by comparing the fatigue crack propagation characteristics of base metal with those of TB welded sheet used for vehicle body panels. We also investigated the influence of center crack on the fatigue characteristic of laser weld sheet of same thickness. We conducted an experiment on fatigue crack propagation on the base metal specimen of 1.2mm thickness of cold-rolled metal sheet(SPCSD) and 2.0mm thickness of hot-rolled metal sheet(SAPH440) and 1.2+2.0mm TB specimen. We also made an experiment on fatigue crack propagation on 2.0+2.0mm and 1.2+1.2mm thickness TB specimen which had center crack. The characteristics of fatigue crack growth on the base metal were different from those on 1.2+2.0mm thickness TB specimen. The fatigue crack growth rate of the TB welded specimens is slower in low stress intensity factor range $({\Delta}K)$ region and faster in high${\Delta}K$ region than that of the base metal specimens. The slant crack angle slightly influenced the crack propagation of the TB specimen of 2.0+2.0mm thinkness.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.143-150
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• 2003

Experimental research has been carried out to investigate the characteristics of the fatigue crack initiation and propagation behavior of Tailor Welded Blank(TB) sheet used for vehicle body. We used three types of specimens which were machined of the same base metal: one is 1.4mm thick, another is 1.6mm thick, and the third(TB specimen) is laser-welded of two specimens(1.4mm and 1.6mm thick ones). The results of tensile and hardness test indicate that the yield strength of the TB specimen is the highest, and the hardness around welding bead is higher than that of base metal. Fatigue strength and fatigue limit of the TB specimen are much superior to those of the base metal up to $10^6$ cycles. The fatigue crack propagation of the heat-affected zone of the TB specimen is slower than that of the base metal. Welding bead has the fastest crack Propagation in the low stress intensity factor range$(\DeltaK)$ region, but the slowest in the high $\DeltaK$ region. The fatigue propagation characteristic of the TB specimen is relatively stable in comparison with that of the base metal in the high ${\Delta}K$ region around over $28MPa\sqrt{m}$.

• Laser Solutions
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.30-38
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• 1998

This study includes the efface of shielding gas types on $CO_2$ laser weldability of low carbon automotive galvanized steel. The types of shielding gas evaluated are He, $CO_2$, Ar, $N_2$, 50%Ar＋50%$N_2$. The weld penetration, strength, formability(Erichsen test) of Laser weld are found to be strongly dependent upon the types of shielding gas used. Further, the maximum travel speed and flow rate to form a keyhole weld is also dependent upon types of shielding gas. The ability of shielding gas in removing plasma plume and thus increasing weld penetration is believed to be closely related with ionization/dissociation potential, which determine the period of plasma formation and disappearance. Further, thermal conductivity and reactivity of gas with molten pool also give strong effect on penetration and porosity formation which in turn affect on the formability and strength.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.3-9
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• 2000

The new FLD of the laser welded blank, which includes FLCs of welded zone and base metals, is introduced. For the forming limits of welded zone, the hemispherical dome punch tests were performed with various widths of asymmetric specimen. The FLC0 as well as the dome height at fracture associated with various specimen widths in the same and different thickness combinations were found to see the formability depending on thickness combinations. In order to show the application of the new FLD, the measured strains of squared cup drawing and simulated strains of door inner panel stamping were compared with those of FLCs. The successful prediction of fracture in the applications reveals that the forming limits of welded zone and base metals should be separately found for more accurate evaluation of the formability and workability of the laser welded blank.

• Laser Solutions
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.23-29
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• 2002

As automotive manufacturers have taken a growing more interest in tailored sheet metals for improving the rigidity, weight reduction, crash durability, and cost saving application of the tailored sheet metals to automotive bodies has been resently increased greatly. In this study, we investigated the characteristics of fatigue crack initiation behavior of laser welded sheet use for vehicle body panel. We experimented three types of specimens which were machined of the same base metal : one is 1.4㎜ thick, another is 1.6㎜ thick, the others is laser welded of the 1.4mm thick specimen and 1.6㎜ thick specimen. The results indicated that laser welded metal (1.4＋1.6㎜) is the best one for fatigue strength and fatigue life.

• Laser Solutions
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.11-18
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• 2014

This research was conducted as a fundamental study to apply tailored blank welding technique into automotive production process. Specially we tried to apply the TWB technique to exhaust system. The materials used in this work were ferritic 439 stainless steel sheet with a thickness of 1.2mm and 0.8mm. Welding tests were conducted for BOP test and dissimilar thickness (0.8 to 1.2t) cases. Major process parameters were position of focus, travel speed, shielding gas and joint (gap) condition. As a result, there are nothing significant welding characteristic compare with TWB of carbon steel. Stainless steel shows the good weldability and mechanical properties (tensile, hardness and forming strength) also shows high level. Just problem is gap condition. However, also in this case, it shows not only good forming strength but also base metal fracture after tensile test. And to conclude, it is good opportunity to make lightweight design muffler using TB welding technique.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.22-30
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• 2000

The sub-frame of passenger car begins to be used widely for the safety of passengers. Conventional design of the sub-frame comprises 22parts, and it requires quite complicated production processes. In this papers, the sub-frame is designed with TWB(Tailor Welded Blanks) to improve stiffness, to reduce weight and to simplify the manufacturing process. To design the proper structure, structural analysis and crash analysis are executed about the conventional design and TWB applied design. A prototype TWB applied sub-frame is manufactured using mash-seam welded TB(Tailored Blanks). Comparing with the conventional sub-frame, the TWB applied sub-frame has 30% weight reduction and 17% increasement of structural stiffness in average.

• Proceedings of the KWS Conference
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• 2001.05a
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• pp.189-191
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• 2001

This study introduces the new way for the evaluation criteria of the Mash-Seam Tailored Blank weldability, The materials used are low carbon automotive galvanized and high strength steels and the evaluation of weldability are examined with various thickness. Welding tests were conducted for both similar thickness and dissimilar thickness cases. The criteria developed for optimum welding conditions were based on the relationship among results of die press forming test, weld transverse tensile test, Erichsen test and microhardness measurements. The application of the developed criteria(fracture ratio, strength ratio, etc) in obtaining optimum welding condition revealed that a weld which satisfied ant of the criteria did not fracture during actual die press test.

• Proceedings of the KWS Conference
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.81-84
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• 2001

This study introduces the new way for the evaluation criteria of the Mash-Seam Tailored Blank weldability, The materials used are low carbon automotive galvanized and high strength steels and the evaluation of weldability are examined with various thickness. Welding tests were conducted for both similar thickness and dissimilar thickness cases. The criteria developed for optimum welding conditions were based on the relationship among results of die press forming test, forming limit diagram, Erichsen test and microhardness measurements. The application of the developed criteria(fracture ratio, strength ratio, etc) in obtaining optimum welding condition revealed that a weld which satisfied ant of the criteria did not fracture during actual die press test and FLD dome test.