MECHANICAL PROPERTIES LASER WELDING AUTOMOTIVE STEEL SHEETS

Abstract

The experimental and theoretical investigation deals with laser welding of automotive thin steel sheets. As tested materials were used Interstitial Free Steel (IF) from type of Hight Strength Low Alloy (HSLA) and the second is S420 steel (Micro-Alloyed Steel). Weld quality has been measured with the help of microhardness test and microstructure. Changes of properties of these materials were carried out by static conditions. The tensile properties of the welded samples have been set in the both longitudinal directions. The structure of welded joints these two materials were investigated by metallographic analysis. Metallographic analysis confirmed the formation of favourable structure of weld metal and heat affected zone. Obtained results showed that by laser welding it is possible to create the high quality welded joints with positive mechanical properties on used in automotive industry.

Keywords

• laser welding
• high strength low alloy (HSLA) steels
• interstitial free (IF) steels
• tension test
• mechanical properties
• microstructure