Objective:
The goal of this project is to develop an optimized heating cycle and forging temperature on HSLA-65 flat bar and replicate it with a Resistance Flash Butt Welding machine to produce welds which pass NAVSEA impact requirements for structural compensation rings.
Summary:
Ingalls Shipbuilding will work with the Colorado School of Mines and their Gleeble machine as well as their material characterization equipment, to determine forging temperatures and overall heating profile that result in acceptable mechanical properties as defined by NAVSEA. That information will then be used to produce weld samples with Resistance Flash Butt Welding equipment to validate the results.
Key Deliverables / Benefits:
This project will provide a written report identifying the findings from all of the testing. If the test
results are satisfactory, it will provide a pathway for shipyards to obtain approval to implement. If the results are not satisfactory, it will provide insight into the challenges and limitations of the process in US Naval ship construction.
Overview
Project Team:
- Huntington Ingalls – Ingalls Shipbuilding
- Colorado School of Mines
- Automation International
- NAVSEA 05
2026
NSRP ASE Investment: $196K
