P 1420 - Development of a strategy for controlling the component properties in the arc-based additive manufacturing of high-alloyed steels by active gas cooling

P 1418 - Profile straightening by partial rolling during roll forming As part of the AiF project with the number 20960N, a new and efficient method for straightening defective profiles is being investigated for the established mass production process of roll forming. The aim of the project is to determine the relationship between the longitudinal strain distribution and the profile defects. Based on these findings and the relative longitudinal strain distributions, countermeasures are to be introduced in order to straighten profiles by partially rolling out selected cross-sectional areas. In the first work package, the influencing variables that affect profile defects and longitudinal strains during roll forming are identified. In the second work package, the preparations for numerical modelling and preliminary experimental investigations such as material characterisation are carried out. In the third work package, numerical investigations are carried out on the U and hat profile. Based on the numerically obtained findings on the longitudinal strain curves, partial rolling is investigated. To determine the influence of various parameters on the method of partial rolling, investigations are carried out for both the U-profile and a hat profile. In particular, an asymmetrical geometry is used, as in this case there is a superposition of vertical and horizontal deflection as well as torsion. In parallel, experimental investigations with properties equivalent to the numerical models are carried out for validation. Subsequently, partial rolling for straightening is investigated experimentally. In the first step, partial rolling is applied to the U-profile and then continued with the hat profile. The profile errors can be eliminated by the new method for both the U-profile and the top-hat profile. Equivalent to the numerical and experimental investigations, an analytical calculation model is set up to determine the longitudinal strain distribution based on the profile errors that occur. This analytical calculation model is validated with the numerically determined results for both profiles from the simulation models. The final step is the implementation of the novel method for industrially used profiles. Experimental and numerical investigations are carried out with a complex profile from a project partner. The measured profile errors for the roll-formed profiles are influenced by applying partial rolling and prove that profile errors can also be influenced for more complex geometries. The aim of the research project was achieved. Publication: March 2023

P 1423 - Qualification of numerical simulations for the characterisation and evaluation of the boundary layer condition of free thermal cut surfaces As part of the research project "Qualification of numerical simulations for the characterisation and evaluation of the surface layer condition of free thermal cut surfaces", thermal cutting tests were carried out, the characteristic quality features were determined experimentally and compared with the results from the numerical investigations. For this purpose, the laser cutting process was selected as the main method and tests were carried out on a structural steel S355NC and a high-strength steel S1100M. It can be seen that the hardness integrity value of DIN EN 1090 is clearly exceeded with S1100M and that the maximum hardness of around 570 HV1 is not directly at the cutting edge. It drops to around 480 HV1 to 520 HV1 up to the surface. A decreasing carbon content at the cutting edge could be one reason for this. In comparison to the numerical investigations, the following points can be determined: The dimensions of the heat-affected zone can be determined via the numerical calculations and are in good agreement with the micrographs. The phase fractions at the low cooling rates indicate a complete transformation into martensite at the surface layer. The maximum hardness of the HAZ agrees with the experimental results. The hardness distribution over depth in relation to the HAZ is in good agreement. Deviations in the width of the HAZ are very small. The results show that the cutting process can be modelled by numerical simulation and that the surface layer condition can be evaluated after the cutting process. The microstructure, the maximum temperatures and the hardness distribution can be determined and thus offers the possibility of saving time and costs when determining the quality of thermal cutting edges. The effort required to create the numerical models must be put into perspective here and the method must be accepted in quality testing. The aim of the research project was achieved. Publication: December 2022 Authors: M. Sc. P. Diekhoff, Dr.-Ing. J. Sun, Dr.-Ing. T. Nitschke-Pagel, Prof. Dr.-Ing. K. Dilger

P 1416 - Extension of the areas of application of hot-dip galvanised steel components in combination with beam welding processes The aim of the project was to extend the range of applications for hot-dip galvanised components and to increase the cost-effectiveness of infrastructure projects through the advantages of laser beam welding in a vacuum (LaVa). The aim of this study was to determine the extent to which laser beam welding is suitable for joining large hot-dip galvanised components. The key point here was to first galvanise and then weld the components by modifying the process, which is only possible with laser beam welding in a vacuum. The motivation of the project was therefore to model the welding and galvanising process as precisely as possible and to validate the numerical models. It was found that the combination in the new process sequence produces favourable residual stress states. A further objective was to optimise the welding process, including the prevention of contamination of the coupling window of the vacuum chamber and the development of integrated corrosion protection. This serves as an alternative to thermal spraying. Subsequently, welds and tests were carried out on components from different process chains in order to investigate the occurrence and influence of residual stresses. The results of the welding investigation show that the joining of galvanised sheets up to 20 mm sheet thickness with zinc up to 200µm in the joining gap is only possible to a limited extent, whereas solid welded joints can be produced in accordance with the standard up to sheet thicknesses of 40 mm when welding without zinc in the joining gap, only on the surface with up to 400µm. The limited weldability is shown by the fact that the weld seam has a pronounced seam collapse, as there is no material in the joint gap due to the evaporating zinc. A model was developed and validated from experimental tests and their numerical calculations. This allowed the stress and strain states after galvanising, laser welding and their combination to be investigated. It was found that the thermal process does not leave any noticeable restrictions in the component after the production steps. Due to the restrictions imposed by the joining process on butt joints, only these can be considered validated for the time being. Fillet welds and other welded joints should therefore be considered in future investigations. The aim of the research project was achieved. Publication: June 2024 Authors: R. Kühne, Dr.-Ing. H. Bartsch, Ch. Frey, Dr.-Ing. S. Olschok

P 1415 - Innovative load capacity analysis of welded steel components using damage mechanics In this project, the load-bearing behaviour of welded joints, in particular with high-strength steels, was investigated experimentally and using damage mechanics simulations. To this end, a methodology was first developed that allows damage mechanics parameters to be derived for the heat-affected zone and the weld metal. An approach was developed to take into account the mesh size dependency, prepared for application and implemented in commercial FE software. The numerical models were validated in laboratory and component tests. In addition, numerical studies on geometric and material influences on the load-bearing behaviour were carried out. The result of the experimental and numerical investigation is that the influence of soft zones (softening) in the heat-affected zone and also of undermatching in welded joints on the bearing loads is significantly lower than the differences in strength would suggest. The soft zones (softening zones) are forced into softening by high strains, which changes the load-bearing effect. The design rules for welded joints were also scrutinised. This revealed potential for optimisation. Using the findings on the minor influence of softening zones on the load-bearing capacity, a weighted approach to the tensile strength of weld metal and base material for undermatching joints was derived, which means an improvement in the design rules. The results will promote the use of high-strength steels in the future, which will benefit in particular the planning companies, e.g. engineering offices, as well as manufacturers, which predominantly come from the SME sector. In addition, Germany will be strengthened as a business location, as qualifications in the production of welded joints of high-strength steels are available here. The results enable more economical steel constructions, which reduces the consumption of resources and promotes the use of steel as a material. The objective of the research project was achieved. Publication: October 2023 Authors: M. Sc. F. Eyben, M. Sc. H. Bartsch, Dr.-Ing. S. Schaffrath, Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. M. Feldmann, Ch. Häffner, M. Sc., M. Sc. D. Lenz, Dr.-Ing. M. Könemann, Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. S. Münstermann