Simulation and Experimental Based Analysis of the Laser Beam Welding of DP Steels

Abstract

In this paper, heat affected zone characteristics of DP1000 steels was investigated during diode laser beam welding (LBW). A butt-welded joint of specimen in dimension of 300 x 150 mm each (according to EN15614-11:2002) with 1 mm thickness is used for the experimental purpose. The welding thermal cycle and the cooling circumstances in the HAZ was determined by real experiment and the physical simulation. A Gleeble 3500 thermo-physical simulator was used to physically simulate the coarse grain heat affected zone (CGHAZ) on the base material specimens by the utilization of the thermal cycles for t8/5 =2.5 s. The results of the physical simulation were validated by real welding experiments. The properties of the simulated and the real HAZ was examined by optical microscopic, scanning electron microscope and hardness tests.