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Microstructure and Softening of Laser-Welded 960 MPa Grade High Strength Steel Joints

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Abstract

The microstructural evolution of laser-welded 960 MPa grade high strength steel joints and its effect on softening behavior of heat affected zone (HAZ) were investigated in this paper. The results show that microstructure of HAZ and fusion zone (FZ) is composed of lath martensite and bainitic ferrite. The microstructure of mixed grained zone presents strip-like characteristics and small block martensite distributes along the grain boundary. The grain size near the fusion line is about 25 μm, and the grain size in the fine grain zone is less than 5 μm. Microhardness of HAZ and FZ is lower than base metal. The soft zone locates in transitional region between tempering zone and mixed grained zone due to the interaction of the martensite tempering and the recovery and recrystallization of the rolled microstructure. Microhardness of soft zone is 310 HV and drops 18% compared to base material. Welding heat input has a remarkable effect on the width of soft zone and microhardness. The tensile properties of weld joints are closely related to the softening behavior of HAZ.

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Acknowledgment

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51035004).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Shanghai Key Laboratory of Material Laser Processing and Modification, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China

    Wei Meng, Zhuguo Li, Jian Huang & Yixiong Wu

  2. State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China

    Yixiong Wu

  3. Joining and Welding Research Institute (JWRI), Osaka University, 11-1 Mihogaoka, Ibaraki, Osaka, 567-0047, Japan

    Seiji Katayama

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  1. Wei Meng
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  4. Yixiong Wu
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Correspondence to Wei Meng.

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Meng, W., Li, Z., Huang, J. et al. Microstructure and Softening of Laser-Welded 960 MPa Grade High Strength Steel Joints. J. of Materi Eng and Perform 23, 538–544 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-013-0795-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-013-0795-5

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