A method of joining two ferrous alloy component parts. The method includes hot metal casting a portion of a first ferrous alloy component part onto a first joining surface of a low carbon intermediate element; friction fitting a joining surface of a second ferrous alloy component part against a second joining surface of the low carbon intermediate element; and fusion welding with a concentrated energy source the intermediate element to the second ferrous alloy component part. The hot metal casting includes flowing a molten ferrous alloy onto the textured first joining surface, wherein the molten ally encompasses tabs extending from the first joining surface and filling apertures defined in the intermediate element. Then cooling the molten ferrous alloy such that a metallurgical and mechanical bond is formed between the portion of the first ferrous alloy component part and the first joining surface of the low carbon intermediate element.

Methods and systems for generating a laser beam with different beam profile characteristics are provided. In one aspect, a method includes coupling an input laser beam into one fiber end of a multi-clad fiber, in particular a double-clad fiber and emitting an output laser beam from the other fiber end of the multi-clad fiber. To generate different beam profile characteristics of the output laser beam, the input laser beam is electively coupled either at least into the inner fiber core of the multi-clad fiber or at least into at least one outer ring core of the multi-clad fiber, or a first sub-beam of the input laser beam is coupled into at least into the inner fiber core of the multi-clad fiber and a second, different sub-beam of the input laser beam is coupled at least into the at least one outer ring core of the multi-clad fiber.

A method of joining a first piece of an automotive component that is made from a first material to a second piece of the automotive component that is made from a second material includes machining a fay surface onto each of the first and second pieces of the automotive component, cleaning the fay surfaces of each of the first and second pieces of the automotive component, placing a metal filler between the fay surfaces of the first and second pieces of the automotive component, holding the first and second pieces together with the metal filler positioned between the fay surfaces of the first and second pieces, and passing an electric current through the first piece, the metal filler and the second piece to melt the metal filler and weld the first piece to the second piece.

A brake disk for a wheel brake of a land vehicle includes a main body formed from gray cast iron. The main body has at least one axial friction side, at least one anti-corrosion layer applied to the axial friction side, and at least one anti-abrasion layer applied to the anti-corrosion layer. The anti-corrosion layer is a duplex steel layer that provides a cost-effective coating for the brake disk and enables improved corrosion resistance. The anti-abrasion layer is wear resistant and is provided by a SiC material containing at least one oxidic or metallic binder, or by an iron-based alloy having a vanadium carbide reinforcement, a niobium carbide reinforcement, a boron carbide reinforcement, a chromium carbide reinforcement or combinations thereof.

A method for producing a brake disk for a wheel brake of a land vehicle includes laser depositing a duplex steel anti-corrosion layer to an axial friction side of a main body produced from gray cast iron at a surface speed of more than 10 m/min and applying an anti-abrasion layer to the anti-corrosion layer.

A composite article and process for producing the composite article may include the following steps: i) coupling with interference a first component at least partially made of cast iron and a second component at least partially made of steel; ii) arranging one or more wires of filler material at one or more separation zones between said first and second component; iii) in an inert atmosphere, directing a laser beam mostly or exclusively on the steel of the second component and on the filler material for occupying at least part of the separation zone at least with said molten steel and filler material; iv) solidifying by cooling at least the molten steel and filler material in welding zones to join said first and second component, and thus obtaining the article.

Methods and systems for generating a laser beam with different beam profile characteristics are provided. In one aspect, a method includes coupling an input laser beam into one fiber end of a multi-clad fiber, in particular a double-clad fiber and emitting an output laser beam from the other fiber end of the multi-clad fiber. To generate different beam profile characteristics of the output laser beam, the input laser beam is electively coupled either at least into the inner fiber core of the multi-clad fiber or at least into at least one outer ring core of the multi-clad fiber, or a first sub-beam of the input laser beam is coupled into at least into the inner fiber core of the multi-clad fiber and a second, different sub-beam of the input laser beam is coupled at least into the at least one outer ring core of the multi-clad fiber.

A method of fusion welding two ferrous alloy component parts, at least one of which is considered unweldable, involves placing a low carbon steel band into a groove defined in part by each of the ferrous alloy component parts and then conveying a concentrated energy source along a welding line that overlaps the low carbon steel band to melt the steel band along with adjacent portions of the ferrous alloy component parts to form a blended alloy weld pool. The blended alloy weld pool solidifies behind the forward movement of the concentrated energy source into a weld joint that fusion welds the ferrous alloy component parts together. The ferrous alloy component parts may include a differential casing and a ring gear. In that regard, a differential casing and ring gear assembly that includes a weld joint is also disclosed.

A method of joining a first piece of an automotive component that is made from a first material to a second piece of the automotive component that is made from a second material includes machining a fay surface onto each of the first and second pieces of the automotive component, cleaning the fay surfaces of each of the first and second pieces of the automotive component, placing a metal filler between the fay surfaces of the first and second pieces of the automotive component, holding the first and second pieces together with the metal filler positioned between the fay surfaces of the first and second pieces, and passing an electric current through the first piece, the metal filler and the second piece to melt the metal filler and weld the first piece to the second piece.

Methods and systems for generating a laser beam with different beam profile characteristics are provided. In one aspect, a method includes coupling an input laser beam into one fiber end of a multi-clad fiber, in particular a double-clad fiber and emitting an output laser beam from the other fiber end of the multi-clad fiber. To generate different beam profile characteristics of the output laser beam, the input laser beam is electively coupled either at least into the inner fiber core of the multi-clad fiber or at least into at least one outer ring core of the multi-clad fiber, or a first sub-beam of the input laser beam is coupled into at least into the inner fiber core of the multi-clad fiber and a second, different sub-beam of the input laser beam is coupled at least into the at least one outer ring core of the multi-clad fiber.