Title: Investigations on the effects of process parameters for Nd:YAG pulsed laser welding of 630 and 321 stainless steels

Authors: A.R. Sufizadeh, S.A.A. Akbari Mousavi

Addresses: School of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, University College of Engineering, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 11155-4563, Iran. ' School of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, University College of Engineering, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 11155-4563, Iran

Abstract: In this paper, pulsed Nd:YAG laser welding of 321 austenitic stainless steel and 630 (17-4PH) precipitation hardening martensitic stainless steel is being studied. The joints had a circular geometry and butt welded. Studies were focused on the effects of laser power, welding velocity, beam diameter and pulse duration on the depth and width of the welds. Microstructures of the welded joints were investigated by the optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that both weld depth and weld width increase with voltage. In addition, the welding speed and pulse duration have bi-lateral effects on the weld bead depth and width. Very fine cellular and dendritic structures are achieved in the weld zone. The microstructure in the weld metal is found to be austenitic-feritic or martensitic.

Keywords: pulsed laser welding; microstructure; AISI 321; AISI 630; scanning electron microscopy; SEM; EDS; optical micrography; process parameters; stainless steels; Nd:YAG laser welding; laser power; welding velocity; beam diameter; pulse duration; weld bead depth; weld bead width; microstructure; welded joints.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMP.2010.035941

International Journal of Microstructure and Materials Properties, 2010 Vol.5 No.2/3, pp.221 - 233

Published online: 10 Oct 2010 *

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