About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Materials Research in Reduced Gravity
|
| Presentation Title |
Pulsed Laser Welding for In-Space Applications |
| Author(s) |
Kaue C. Riffel, Eugene Choi, Aaron Brimmer, Will McAuley, Boyd Panton, Antonio J. Ramirez |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Kaue C. Riffel |
| Abstract Scope |
Pulsed Laser Beam Welding (LBW) is a promising joining technology for in-space manufacturing due to its precision, heat input control, and compatibility with vacuum environments. This study investigates pulsed LBW of three aerospace-relevant alloys, Aluminum 2219, Ti-6Al-4V, and 316L stainless steel, under varying gravity levels (Earth, lunar, and microgravity) during parabolic flight experiments. Welding was performed in a high-vacuum chamber using a 1.5 kW pulsed laser system. Porosity formation and microstructural features were characterized using computed tomography (CT), SEM, and EBSD. Results show that pulsed LBW enables consistent bead morphology and suppresses gravity-driven fluid flow due to rapid solidification, resulting in stable welds across gravity regimes. Reduced-gravity welds exhibited smaller, more spherical pores. The findings demonstrate the suitability of pulsed LBW for autonomous fabrication and repair in space, highlighting its potential for future long-duration missions and orbital manufacturing platforms. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Process Technology, Other, Other |