2000 and Beyond

2000

Magnetic Pulse Welding (MPW) is introduced by Pulsar Ltd. of Israel using capacitive power as a solid state welding process. Discharging 2 Million amps in less than 100 microseconds this process can create a metallurgical, a non-metallurgical or a mechanical lock, depending on the substrate involved. No heat affected zone (HAZ) is created since only a rise of 30^oC occurs.
Tailored welded blanks of aluminum are used where spot welding was once performed.
Researchers from Argonne National Laboratory use the energy of the x-ray to weld metal-matrix composite (Ti or Al / Al₂O₃ or SiC) materials.
Diode laser welding, once limited to compact disks, laser printers, and laser pointers, are now making their way to the manufacturing floor. Welding Type 304 Stainless steel (0.024 inch), Titanium foil (0.005 inch thick) and laser brazing with a silicon-bronze brazing wire.
Conductive heat resistance seam welding (CHRSEW) is developed. The process uses steel cover sheets placed on top of aluminum butted together. Using conventional seam welding, the heat generated from the steel forms a molten interface on the aluminum and fusion is made at the butt joint. The steel covers are then removed.

2001

AWS D17.1, "Specification for Fusion Welding for Aerospace Applications" is published in March. The efforts of approximately 50 individuals from a cross-section of the Aviation Industry and government produces the first commercial aviation welding specification.
Flame brazing 5XXX aluminum alloys using non-corrosive flux.
Sulzar Elbar introduces laser powder welding technology. Permits rebuilding of substrate material (High Creep Resistance) and reproduction of the single crystal structure.

2002

From Linde Gas in Germany, a Diode laser using process gases and "active-gas components" is investigated to enhance the "key-holing" effects for laser welding. The process gas, Argon-CO₂, increases the welding speed and in the case of a diode laser, will support the transition of heat conductivity welding to a deep welding, i.e., 'key-holing'. Adding active gas changes the direction of the metal flow within a weld pool and produces narrower, high-quality weld.
CO₂ Lasers are used to weld polymers. The Edison Welding Institute is using through-transmission lasers in the 230-980 nm range to readily form welded joints. Using silicon carbides embedded in the surfaces of the polymer, the laser is capable of melting the material leaving a near invisible joint line.

2003

2004

Annular Deformation Resistance Welding (ADRW) process, patented by Delphi Corporation, a new approach to resistance welding automotive exhaust systems or two objects out of plane with each other. Potentially a viable process to replace the costly production brazing of similar shaped parts. The process is forgiving enough to minimize fitup tolerances and suitable for automation. .

2005

2006

2007

2008