High Speed Joining by Laser Shock Forming

Abstract

Due to an ongoing trend of function compaction miniaturization gets more and more important in industrial production. This makes hybrid joints under various conditions also in the micro range necessary. Existing joining solutions often have restrictions due to the principle of joining. Thus in this article a new high speed forming method for the micro range is shown, which is based on plastic deformation by laser induced shockwaves. First of all it is shown how metal sheet-sheet joints can be realized with this method. With the produced joints tensile tests are carried out, where a maximum shearing force of 26.7 N could be achieved. For a detailed process understanding, the near-field of the acting pressure of the TEA-CO 2 -laser induced shockwaves is measured. Moreover it is determined that the ignition point of the TEA-CO 2 -laser induced plasma out of aluminum is about 8 mm above the surface.