Researchers use X-ray movies to catch manufacturing flaws

Posted by
On July 2, 2019

Lianyi Chen in lab

Dr. Lianyi Chen, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering in his office and Toomey lab. Sam O’Keefe/Missouri S&T

Microscopic defects that occur in laser-based manufacturing of metal parts can lead to big problems if undetected, and the process of fixing these flaws can increase the time and cost of high-tech manufacturing. But new research into the cause of these flaws could lead to a remedy.

Researchers
from Missouri S&T, Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Utah
created high-speed X-ray “movies” of a manufacturing phenomenon known as laser
spattering. Laser spattering refers to the ejection of molten metal from a pool
heated by a high-power laser during laser-based manufacturing processes, such
as laser welding and laser-additive manufacturing. These laser manufacturing
technologies are used to fabricate parts for use in a variety of industries,
including aerospace, the automotive industry, health care and construction.

The
researchers describe their findings in a paper
published
in Physical Review X in
June. Dr. Lianyi Chen, assistant professor
of mechanical and aerospace engineering at S&T, is one of the paper’s
corresponding authors.

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On July 2, 2019. Posted in Accomplishments

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