Quantitative characterization of porosity in laser welds of stainless steel

Standing-edge joints made by a continuous-wave Nd:YAG laser are examined in 304L stainless steel to advance understanding of the linkage between processing and microstructure in high-rate solidification events. Microcomputed tomography combined with traditional metallography has provided qualitative and quantitative characterization of welds in this material system of broad use and applicability. Pore presence and variability have been examined three-dimensionally for average values, spatial distributions and morphology, and related to processing parameters such as weld speed, delivered power and focal lens.