| Abstract Scope |
The recent boom of the in-space economy has demonstrated need for continued development of electron beam welding (EBW) and laser beam welding (LBW) processes, which are desirable for their compactness, low mass, low power consumption, and high wall plug efficiency. Demonstrating, developing, and applying welding processes is physically difficult, and costs are high to develop and fly individual space-based trials. This drives the current approach to develop ICME physics-based models in tandem with CALPHAD techniques. In this work, a thermal model of Skylab EBW experiments is established and compared to empirical data. The model is used to show variation between Earth-based and in-space weld structure and properties through exploration of key variables that define the Low earth orbit and lunar surface space environments, namely temperature, pressure, and gravity. Finally, physical processes associated with heat and mass transport during welding are evaluated through several case studies demonstrating need for further research. |