日本冶金工業 developed new overlay-welding technology, HALO-W, through joint research with Hiroshima University. The company combined strip material with a feed system that suppresses heat input, demonstrating improved efficiency and quality.
日本冶金工業 announced that it had developed new overlay-welding technology, HALO-W, through joint research with Hiroshima University, combining hot-wire laser welding with strip material. The technology uses strip material and suppresses heat input through preheating, with the aim of improving weld quality and operating efficiency.
In experiments, the company used stainless-steel strip (SUS309L) measuring 0.4 mm thick and 9 mm wide, confirming that it could smooth the bead while limiting penetration depth. The research findings were presented at the International Welding Congress in July.
HALO-W can use multiple commercially available strip materials in addition to strip electrode material. It is expected to serve as an alternative to conventional overlay welding for applications such as pressure vessels in chemical plants, and can also be applied to narrow-gap joint welding and additive manufacturing.
The company began laboratory-level studies toward practical implementation in 2025. The scope of application to other materials is expected to expand depending on future developments.