TY - JOUR A1 - Meng, Xiangmeng A1 - Bachmann, Marcel A1 - Yang, Fan A1 - Rethmeier, Michael T1 - Porosity prediction in laser beam welding with a multimodal physics-informed machine learning framework N2 - Laser beam welding (LBW) of metallic components is a knowledge‑intensive manufacturing process whose quality depends on the complex multi‑physics. However, its engineering application is often hindered by the occurrence of porosity defects. Achieving a thorough understanding and reliable prediction of porosity defects remains difficult because it demands robust representation and reasoning over nonlinear and hard‑to‑observe physical information. In this study, we propose an integrated multimodal physics-informed machine learning (PIML) framework with the help of multi-physical modelling and experimental data to predict the porosity defects in laser beam welding of aluminum alloys. The whole framework contains a multimodal PIML model for predicting the porosity ratio and an ML-based estimator for relevant physical information. By utilizing the scalar welding parameters and high-dimensional physical information (probability of keyhole collapses, cumulative existing time of collapses, and molten pool geometry) as inputs, the multimodal PIML model shows great superiority in predicting the porosity ratio, with a reduction of the mean square error by 45%, compared with the ML model trained only with welding parameters. The ML-based estimator constructed with an encoder‐decoder architecture can accurately reproduce the critical physical information within a timeframe of seconds. By integrating these two ML models, the proposed framework advances engineering informatics by offering a scalable, physics-knowledge‑centric solution for fast and accurate porosity prediction in LBW manufacturing. KW - Laser beam welding KW - Porosity defect KW - Physics-informed machine learning KW - Multimodal model KW - Simulation PY - 2026 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-657589 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aei.2026.104611 SN - 1474-0346 VL - 74 SP - 1 EP - 12 PB - Elsevier Ltd. AN - OPUS4-65758 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Biegler, Max A1 - Yang, Keke A1 - Meschut, Gerson A1 - Rethmeier, Michael T1 - Occurrence and avoidance of liquid metal embrittlement in resistance spot welding of springback-afflicted deep-drawn components N2 - This study investigates the occurrence and mitigation of liquid metal embrittlement occurring during resistance spot welding in deep-drawn automotive components, specifically focusing on an S-Rail made from advanced high-strength steel. A simulation-based liquid metal embrittlement risk criterion based on local major component stresses was established and used to quantify and compare liquid metal embrittlement risks between different tests. Experimental and numerical analyses were conducted, revealing that springback significantly impacts liquid metal embrittlement formation. Adjustments in electrode geometry and hold time post-welding were found to mitigate liquid metal embrittlement risks. The effects of stack-up configuration and related parameter settings on liquid metal embrittlement occurrence were identified and liquid metal embrittlement was effectively prevented across both stack-up configurations. These findings advance the understanding of liquid metal embrittlement mechanisms and provide practical approaches to enhance the spot weld quality in AHSS-based body-in-whites. KW - Liquid metal embrittlement KW - Crack KW - Advanced high-strength steels KW - Resistance spot welding KW - Weld current KW - Heat input KW - Simulation KW - Springback KW - Deep drawing KW - S-Rail PY - 2025 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-636577 DO - https://doi.org/10.1177/13621718251340452 SN - 1362-1718 SP - 1 EP - 9 PB - SAGE Publications AN - OPUS4-63657 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Seitz, Georg A1 - Bantle, Patrick A1 - Biegler, Max A1 - Elsner, Beatrix A. M. A1 - Rethmeier, Michael T1 - An Inherent Strain Method Using Progressive Element Activation for Fast Distortion Calculation in Directed Energy Deposition N2 - The finite element analysis (FEA) simulation of directed energy deposition (DED) processes offers many potential cost savings during the build job optimization process, through, e.g., distortion predictions. However, the biggest challenge is the long calculation time, frequently exceeding the actual build time. One way of simplifying the simulation with the aim of reducing the calculation times is the inherent strain method. While this method is already used commercially in the simulation of powder bed-based processes and conventional welding technologies, its use in DED is still the subject of research. In this work, an inverse determination of an inherent strain is carried out on a 20-layer-high, single-track-wide wall, common theories are reviewed, and an approach based on thermal strain is introduced. As a result, the calculation time could be reduced by 83% and the accuracy remained at 92%. KW - Inherent strain method KW - Simulation KW - Finite element analysis KW - Directed energy deposition KW - Additive manufacturing PY - 2024 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-622595 DO - https://doi.org/10.3390/met14121338 SN - 2075-4701 VL - 14 IS - 12 SP - 1 EP - 12 PB - MDPI AN - OPUS4-62259 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Yang, K. A1 - Meschut, G. A1 - Seitz, G. A1 - Biegler, M. A1 - Rethmeier, Michael T1 - The Identification of a New Liquid Metal Embrittlement (LME) Type in Resistance Spot Welding of Advanced High Strength Steels on Reduced Flange Widths N2 - Liquid metal embrittlement (LME) cracking is a phenomenon observed during resistance spot welding (RSW) of zinc􀀀coated advanced high􀀀strength steels (AHSS) in automotive manufacturing. In this study, severe cracks are observed at the edge of the sheet under reduced flange widths. These cracks, traversing the AHSS sheet, culminate at the edge with a width of approximately 1.2 mm. Through combined numerical and experimental investigations, and material testing, these cracks are identified and validated as a new type of LME crack. The mechanism behind this crack formation is attributed to unique geometric conditions that, when compared to center welding, amplify radial material flow by ninefold to 0.87 mm. The resultant tangential tensile stresses approximate 760 MPa, which exceed the yield strength of the examined advanced high􀀀strength steel (AHSS) under heightened temperature conditions, and when combined with liquid zinc, promote the formation of this new type of LME crack. KW - Liquid metal embrittlement KW - Crack KW - Advanced high strength steels KW - Resistance spot welding KW - Simulation KW - Flange width PY - 2023 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-586940 DO - https://doi.org/10.3390/met13101754 VL - 13 IS - 10 SP - 1 EP - 13 PB - MDPI AN - OPUS4-58694 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Böhne, C. A1 - Meschut, G. A1 - Biegler, M. A1 - Rethmeier, Michael T1 - The Influence of Electrode Indentation Rate on LME Formation during RSW N2 - During resistance spot welding of zinc-coated advanced high-strength steels (AHSSs) for automotive production, liquid metal embrittlement (LME) cracking may occur in the event of a combination of various unfavorable influences. In this study, the interactions of different welding current levels and weld times on the tendency for LME cracking in third-generation AHSSs were investigated. LME manifested itself as high penetration cracks around the circumference of the spot welds for welding currents closely below the expulsion limit. At the same time, the observed tendency for LME cracking showed no direct correlation with the overall heat input of the investigated welding processes. To identify a reliable indicator of the tendency for LME cracking, the local strain rate at the origin of the observed cracks was analyzed over the course of the welding process via finite element simulation. While the local strain rate showed a good correlation with the process-specific LME cracking tendency, it was difficult to interpret due to its discontinuous course. Therefore, based on the experimental measurement of electrode displacement during welding, electrode indentation velocity was proposed as a descriptive indicator for quantifying cracking tendency. KW - Liquid Metal Embrittlement (LME) KW - Crack KW - Resistance Spot Welding (RSW) KW - Advanced High-Strength Steel (AHSS) KW - Welding Current KW - Heat Input KW - Simulation PY - 2022 DO - https://doi.org/10.29391/2022.101.015 SN - 0043-2296 VL - 101 IS - 7 SP - 197-s EP - 207-s PB - American Welding Society CY - New York, NY [u.a.] AN - OPUS4-55600 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Böhne, Chr. A1 - Meschut, G. A1 - Biegler, M. A1 - Rethmeier, Michael T1 - Avoidance of liquid metal embrittlement during resistance spot welding by heat input dependent hold time adaption N2 - Liquid metal embrittlement (LME) cracking can occur during resistance spot welding (RSW) in zinc-coated advanced high-strength steels (AHSS) for automotive production. In this study, a methodological variation of hold time is performed to investigate the process-related crack influence factors. A combination of numerical and experimental investigations confirms, that the extent of heat dissipation and re-heating of the sheet surface can be influenced and thus the degree of crack formation can be controlled in a targeted manner by the parameterisation of the hold time. The temperature and stress history of crack-free and crack-afflicted spot welds are analysed and a conclusion on the borders defining the LME active region is derived. KW - Liquid metal embrittlement KW - Crack KW - Advanced high-strength steels KW - Resistance spot welding KW - Hold time KW - Heat input KW - Simulation PY - 2020 DO - https://doi.org/10.1080/13621718.2020.1795585 SN - 1362-1718 VL - 25 IS - 7 SP - 617 EP - 624 PB - Taylor Francis Online AN - OPUS4-51096 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - RPRT A1 - Bachmann, Marcel A1 - Rethmeier, Michael T1 - Gekoppelte numerische Untersuchung der Bildung von Mittelrippendefekten beim Hochleistungslaserstrahlschweißen N2 - Die Entstehung von Erstarrungsrissen stellt ein in der Schweißtechnik lange bekanntes Problem dar. Diese prozessseitige Herausforderung ist selbst nach dem heutigen Wissenstand schwer zu beherrschen und gefährdet die Sicherheit der gefügten Bauteile. Dieses Problem erweist sich als besonders schwierig beim einlagigen Hochleistungslaserstrahlschweißen von Metallteilen hoher Blechstärke, welche eine essentielle Rolle in vielerlei industriellen Anwendungen spielen. Gegenstand des hier bearbeiteten Forschungsprojekts war die numerische Untersuchung der Entstehungsmechanismen des Mittelrippendefekts beim Laserstrahlschweißen niedriglegierter Stähle. Mittels mehrerer gekoppelter Simulationen, für welche sowohl kommerziellen Softwares, wie COMSOL Multiphysics und ANSYS, als auch in-house entwickelte Programme eingesetzt worden sind, wurden die am stärksten ausgeprägten Mechanismen der Erstarrungsrissbildung und deren Zusammenspiel aufgeklärt. Begleitend zur Simulation wurden mehrere experimentelle Untersuchungen für den niedriglegierten Baustahl S355 an den Blechdicken 12 mm und 15 mm zu deren Validierung durchgeführt. Die Ergebnisse der Simulation des Kristallwachstums, der Diffusion und der Makroseigerung von Schwefel zeigen, dass die Risse für bestimmte Werkstoffe mit einer hohen Konzentration an Verunreinigungen hauptsächlich metallurgisch bedingt entstehen können. Allerdings zeigte die Untersuchung des Einflusses der Ausbauchung (Bulging) im Mittenbereich der Schweißnaht auf das transiente Temperaturfeld und die transienten Transversalspannungen im risskritischen Bereich auch, dass die Rissbildung nicht nur metallurgisch bedingt und insbesondere auch für aus metallurgischer Sicht eigentlich rissunkritische Materialien auftreten kann. Der Bulging-Bereich hat sich in der Untersuchung als besonders kritisch in allen Teilen der Simulationskette gezeigt. Die Einflüsse dieser geometrischen Besonderheit konnten bei allen physikalischen Teilaspekten der Problematik als heißrissinduzierend identifiziert werden. Von besonderer Bedeutung wird an dieser Stelle das erkannte Zusammenspiel dieser Einflüsse hervorgehoben. Bisher wurde die Bildung der Erstarrungsrisse hauptsächlich durch einen einzelnen physikalischen Aspekt, wie z.B. rein metallurgisch oder rein thermomechanisch bedingt, isoliert betrachtet. Die gewonnen Erkenntnisse über die Einflüsse des Bulgings auf die unterschiedlichen Teilaspekte zeigen deutlich, dass alle Entstehungsmechanismen auch die Schmelzbadgeometrie als Ursprung haben. Von dieser hängen die transienten Temperatur- und Spannungsfelder, die Kristallwachsrichtung, die Erstarrungsgeschwindigkeit und die Konzentration von Verunreinigungen, welche zur Entstehung von niedrigschmelzenden Phasen führt, ab. Die Ergebnisse des Forschungsvorhabens sind vielfach in referierten Zeitschriften und auf Fachtagungen veröffentlicht worden. Hervorzuheben dabei ist der „Best Presentation Award“ auf der LANE Conference 2018 in Fürth, wodurch die Thematik einem breiten Publikum bekannt gemacht werden konnte. KW - Laserstrahlschweißen KW - Mittelrippendefekt KW - Simulation PY - 2019 SP - 1 EP - 14 AN - OPUS4-49516 LA - deu AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Bachmann, Marcel A1 - Gumenyuk, Andrey A1 - Rethmeier, Michael T1 - Welding with high-power lasers: trends and developments N2 - High-power laser beam welding became new stimuli within the last 10 years due to the availability of a new generation of high brightness multi kilowatt solid state lasers. In the welding research new approaches have been developed to establish reliable and praxis oriented welding processes meeting the demands of modern industrial applications during this time. The paper focuses on some of the current scientific and technological aspects in this research field like hybrid laser arc welding, simulation techniques, utilization of electromagnetic fields or reduced pressure environment for laser beam welding processes, which contributed to the further development of this technology or will play a crucial role in its further industrial implementation. T2 - 9th International Conference on Photonic Technologies - LANE 2016 CY - Fürth, Germany DA - 19.09.2016 KW - High-power Laserbeam Welding KW - Electromagnetic Force KW - Vacuum KW - Simulation PY - 2016 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-377280 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phpro.2016.08.003 VL - 83 SP - 15 EP - 25 PB - Elsevier B.V. CY - Berlin, Germany AN - OPUS4-37728 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Brauser, Stephan A1 - Gebhardt, Moritz Oliver A1 - Rethmeier, Michael ED - Babu, S. S. ED - Bhadeshia, H.K. ED - Cross, C.E. ED - David, S.A. ED - DebRoy, T. ED - DuPont, J.N. ED - Koseki, T. ED - Liu, S. T1 - Influence of imperfections on the fatigue performance of resistance spot welded joints N2 - In this study, the influence of two different types of weld imperfections, i.e. production-related gaps and weld cracks, on the fatigue performance was investigated for resistance spot welded TRIP steel HCT690. It was ascertained that gaps of 3 mm lead to a significant drop in fatigue life compared to gap free shear tension samples under a load ratio R of 0.1. This fact was attributed to decreased stiffness, higher transverse vibration and higher rotation () between the sheets. Furthermore, FE-simulations have shown an increase in local stresses in gapped samples. The investigation into the influence of cracks was split depending on the crack location in the weld area. Surface cracks in the electrode indentation area as well as in the HAZ were produced and analyzed. The results showed that surface cracks independent of their position have no effect on the fatigue life. The produced internal imperfections have shown only a marginal impact on the fatigue life. By using a 3D FE-simulation of crack containing samples and crack free samples the influence of such imperfections was validated by determining the local stresses in critical areas. T2 - 9th International conference on trends in welding research CY - Chicago, Illinois, USA DA - 04.06.2012 KW - Resistance spot welding KW - Gaps KW - Cracks KW - Fatigue life KW - Simulation PY - 2013 SN - 978-1-62708-998-2 SP - 650 EP - 660 PB - ASM international AN - OPUS4-29056 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Schwenk, Christopher A1 - Rethmeier, Michael ED - F. Vollertsen, ED - J. Sakkiettibutra, T1 - Influence of Material Properties on Numerically Calculated Welding Distortions T2 - International Workshop on Thermal Forming and Welding Distortion (IWOTE `08) CY - Bremen, Germany DA - 2008-04-22 KW - Schweißen KW - Simulation KW - Werkstoffe KW - Sensitivität PY - 2008 SP - 35 EP - 44 AN - OPUS4-17447 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -