High power x-ray welding of metal-matrix composites

Patent · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1999

OSTI ID:872713

Rosenberg, Richard A ^[1]; Goeppner, George A ^[2]; Noonan, John R ^[1]; Farrell, William J ^[3]; Ma, Qing ^[4]

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1. Naperville, IL
2. Orland Park, IL
3. Flossmoor, IL
4. Westmont, IL

A method for joining metal-matrix composites (MMCs) by using high power x-rays as a volumetric heat source is provided. The method involves directing an x-ray to the weld line between two adjacent MMCs materials to create an irradiated region or melt zone. The x-rays have a power density greater than about 10.sup.4 watts/cm.sup.2 and provide the volumetric heat required to join the MMC materials. Importantly, the reinforcing material of the metal-matrix composites remains uniformly distributed in the melt zone, and the strength of the MMCs are not diminished. In an alternate embodiment, high power x-rays are used to provide the volumetric heat required to weld metal elements, including metal elements comprised of metal alloys. In an alternate embodiment, high power x-rays are used to provide the volumetric heat required to weld metal elements, including metal elements comprised of metal alloys.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 5994660
• OSTI ID: 872713
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

power
x-ray
welding
metal-matrix
composites
method
joining
mmcs
x-rays
volumetric
heat
source
provided
involves
directing
weld
line
adjacent
materials
create
irradiated
region
melt
zone
density
10
watts
cm
provide
required
join
mmc
importantly
reinforcing
material
remains
uniformly
distributed
strength
diminished
alternate
embodiment
metal
elements
including
comprised
alloys
metal elements
involves directing
reinforcing material
weld line
uniformly distribute
including metal
metal element
matrix composites
method involves
heat source
metal alloy
uniformly distributed
alternate embodiment
metal alloys
power density
matrix composite
melt zone
metal-matrix composites
method involve
joining metal
elements comprise
metal-matrix composite
/219/378/