Shipbuilding and Aluminum Conference

Explore the forefront of shipbuilding innovation. This track will provide presentations on emerging technologies and materials being developed and qualified for use in both commercial and navy shipbuilding. This track benefits designers, engineers, fabricators, and suppliers seeking ways to elevate their innovation and competitiveness in the shipbuilding industry.

Topics of presentation will include:

• Advancements in filler metals suitable for welding various materials.
• Equipment technology innovations tailored for welding different material types and thickness ranges.
• New code requirements for qualification and fabrication in shipbuilding.
• Advances in automation to enhance shipbuilding productivity.
• Growing utilization of additive manufacturing in shipbuilding and emerging opportunities.

Welding aluminum poses distinct challenges for professionals at all experience levels. As aluminum use becomes more widespread in the industry, it's essential for welders, welding engineers, and production staff to apply practical methods and stay informed about emerging technologies for future implementation.

This conference aims to impart a fundamental understanding of aluminum welding, covering a range of key topics, including:

• Increasing industrial applications of aluminum welding.
• Key elements of the aluminum alloy identification system.
• Aluminum metallurgy: strengthening techniques and welding's impact on base metals.
• Selection criteria for aluminum welding filler metals.
• Metal preparation and storage methods specific to aluminum.
• Common welding processes for aluminum, focusing on GMAW and GTAW.
• Addressing common weld discontinuities: porosity, incomplete fusion, and hot cracking.
• AWS D1.2 Structural Welding Code essentials for aluminum, including procedures and inspections.
• Emerging welding technologies like hybrid, laser, and friction stir processes.