NASA and the Michigan Research Institute (MRI) are to grant Troy-based Delphi $950,000 to fund further deformation resistance welding (DRW) development in 2007.
The research will develop DRW for ferrous and non-ferrous materials, dissimilar material joints, lean tubular structures and concepts for future manufacturing cells. Another goal is for DRW to provide reliable, repeatable, leak-free welds at lower cost than conventional welding processes.
NASA is interested in the welding of dissimilar metal joints for integrating titanium-based cooling loops with power conversion systems using stainless steel structures. Traditional mechanical joining processes could be insufficient for long missions. "This continued commitment to DRW will allow us to make even more progress for the future of this technology," says Delphi.
With funding from NASA's exploration space power development programme, previous phases received $2.17 million for DRW research.
Source: Flight International
