The Paton Welding Journal, 2012, №01



2012 №01 (02)

2012 №01 (04)

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The Paton Welding Journal, 2012, #1, 10-14 pages  

INVESTIGATIONS ON LASER BEAM WELDING OF HIGH-MANGANESE AUSTENITIC AND AUSTENITIC-FERRITIC STAINLESS STEELS

V. QUIROZ, A.V. GUMENYUK and M. RETHMEIER

BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Berlin, Germany
 
 
Abstract
4.4 kW Nd:YAG laser and 5 kW CO₂ laser were applied to welding 1.5 mm stainless steel sheets in CW mode. Manganese austenitic and lean duplex steels were selected as test materials and for comparison with standard austenitic and duplex steels. The influence of main laser welding parameters on process stability and resulting weld quality, as well as the effects of weld edge preparation on the weld appearance and quality levels, were investigated. The welded joints obtained were subjected to radiographic tests for detection of internal imperfections, tensile and potentiodynamic tests were performed to evaluate the mechanical and corrosion properties. The results provide an insight into the advantages and limitations of the laser beam welding process for joining high-manganese alloyed stainless steels. Conditions for the production of defect-free and corrosion-resistant welds having good mechanical properties could be determined.
 
 
Keywords: laser welding, CO₂- and Nd:YAG laser, stainless austenitic and duplex steels, higher manganese content, process stability, shielding atmosphere, weld metal, microstructure, mechanical properties, corrosion resistance
 
 
Received:                02.07.11
Published:               28.01.12
 
 
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