Strengthening behavior analysis of weld metal of laser hybrid welding for microalloyed steel

The weld metal with high strength and good toughness was obtained for medium thickness microalloyed steel by using high power laser hybrid welding technology. Mechanical properties of weld metal were evaluated by using room temperature tensile test and low temperature three-side Charpy V-notch (CVN) impact test. The results show that the yield strength and ultimate tensile strength of weld metal are up to 713 MPa and 918 MPa, respectively. Both of them are almost 1.5 times higher than those of base metal. Under the strict three sides CVN condition, the −40 °C low temperature impact absorbed energy is up to 32 J and also higher than that of base metal. Weld metal predominately consists of granular bainite and carbon-free bainite. Both of them mainly contain lath morphology bainitic ferrite. The lath morphology bainitic ferrite with fine grain size plays an important role in higher strength. Dispersive carbide and high density dislocation are found in strengthening weld metal.