Explosion Welding Dilatant Non-Newtonian Mixture Anvil

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing explosion welding methods for joining metal workpieces face challenges such as material property loss, separation of alloys, and damage to inner walls due to traditional anvil materials like granulate or thermoplastic substances, which limit the applicability and efficiency of the process, especially for complex shapes and hollow spaces.

Innovation Solution

The method employs a dilatant non-Newtonian mixture, such as a cornstarch and liquid solution, to act as an anvil during explosion welding, which self-shapes to the workpiece, supports it without dynamic behavior, and can be easily removed, allowing for stable metallurgical connections without encasing the anvil and minimizing damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional arc-welding process is used to clad workpieces with high-alloy steel, then a protective layer is arranged on the workpiece, but both materials are fused causing loss of alloy properties and separation occurs creating a porous third phase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion resistanceVSAvoidalloy properties
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the thermal arc-welding process with a mechanical explosion welding process. The explosive force creates a shock wave that bonds the cladding layer to the workpiece without melting or fusing the materials, thereby preserving the alloy properties and preventing formation of a porous third phase while still achieving the protective corrosion-resistant layer

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the phase transition of explosives from solid to gas through detonation. This phase transition generates the high-pressure shock wave necessary for explosion welding, enabling the bonding of metal layers without thermal fusion and preserving the metallurgical integrity of both the base metal and cladding alloy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

2Reliability

If a solid anvil is arranged in the hollow space of a tube for explosion welding, then the explosion can be contained, but the tube deforms plastically around the anvil and the anvil cannot be removed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexplosion containmentVSAvoidanvil removal
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of the anvil material from solid to liquid. By using a liquid medium instead of a solid anvil, the containment structure adapts to the tube geometry without causing plastic deformation, and the liquid can be easily drained or removed after the welding process without requiring mechanical extraction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a liquid medium (hydraulic principle) to fill the hollow space of the tube during explosion welding. This liquid provides the necessary containment and pressure distribution without the mechanical interference of a solid anvil, and can be easily removed by draining, solving the removal difficulty problem

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Reliability

If granular material is used as an anvil in explosion welding of tubes, then the material forms small compartments filled with water, but the connection between grains has only compression strength and confinement is essential

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexplosion supportVSAvoidconfinement structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of the anvil material from granular solid to liquid. This eliminates the need for grain-to-grain compression connections and confinement structures, as the liquid naturally adapts to the tube geometry and provides uniform pressure distribution without requiring mechanical interlocking or confinement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and eliminates the granular structure and its associated confinement requirements from the system. By using a liquid medium instead, the complex grain connection mechanism and confinement structures are removed entirely, simplifying the device while maintaining or improving explosion welding performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of operation

If a dilatant non-Newtonian mixture is used as an anvil, then the mixture self-shapes to the workpiece and can be easily removed, but the mixture must withstand extreme pressure during detonation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanvil removalVSAvoidpressure resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the shear-thickening parameter change of dilatant non-Newtonian mixtures. Under normal conditions, the mixture remains fluid and can be easily applied and removed. During the high-pressure detonation event, the rapid shear stress causes the mixture to transition to a solid-like state, providing the necessary strength to withstand the explosion while maintaining ease of operation before and after the process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables efficient, stable, and damage-free metallurgical connections between metal workpieces of differing compositions, suitable for various shapes and hollow spaces, with improved process control and reduced environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

a dilatant non-Newtonian mixture, such as a cornstarch and liquid solution, to act as an anvil during explosion welding, which self-shapes to the workpiece, supports it without dynamic behavior

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDilatant behavior: Dilatant

Implementation Method 2

detonating the explosive material in order to bring about a metallurgical connection between the two workpiece parts

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDetonation: Detonation

Implementation Method 3

the air present in the space between the two materials is displaced at very high velocity, a pressure wave is created which cleans the metal surfaces and strongly heats them very locally

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure wave heating: Adiabatic Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3057734B1Method for joining at least two metal workpiece parts to each other by means of explosion welding
Publication Date: 2019.12.04 VOLKERWESSELS INTELLECTUELE EIGENDOM
  • EP3057734B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3057734B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for joining at least two metal workpiece parts (2, 8) of a differing metal composition to each other by means of explosion welding, comprising the steps of: • - enclosing an inner workpiece part (2) at least partially with an outer workpiece part (89; • - arranging a mantle of explosive material (14) round the outer workpiece part; and • - detonating the explosive material in order to bring about a metallurgical connection between the two workpiece parts; • - wherein during the detonation of the explosive material the inner workpiece part is substantially wholly filled with and/or is at least partially enclosed by a dilatant non-Newtonian mixture (20). The invention further relates to a workpiece manufactured via this method.