METHOD OF JOINING HOLLOW METAL AGGREGATED MATERIAL, AND IMPACT ABSORPTION MEMBER AND METHOD OF PRODUCING THE SAME

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of joining a hollow metal aggregated material by which an aggregated material consisting of fine hollow metals can be joined to the other metal material at high strength without variation, and to obtain an impact absorption member which has excellent energy absorption performance and stability in the performance by welding the hollow metal aggregated material to a member with a closed cross-section composing an enclosure using the joining method. SOLUTION: In the method of joining a hollow metal aggregated material, an aggregated material consisting of fine hollow metals is compressed, the fine hollow metal at least located on the outermost face of the aggregated material is subjected to plastic deformation so as to be flattened, further, the aggregated material is stored in the cavity part of the member with a closed cross-section, thereafter, a high energy density heat source such as a laser beam is applied from the outside of the member with a closed cross-section, and the member with a closed cross-section and the flattened plastically deformed face of the aggregate are welded. COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI