Evaluation on Fatigue Performance and Fracture Mechanism of Laser Welded TWIP Steel Joint Based on Evolution of Microstructure and Micromechanical Properties

The fatigue performance and fracture mechanism of laser welded twinning induced plasticity (TWIP.) steel joint were investigated experimentally based on the evolution of microstructure and micromechanical properties. The optical microscopy was used to analyze the evolution of microstructure. The variation of composition and phase structure of fusion zone were detected by energy dispersive X-ray and X-ray diffraction spectrometers. The micromechanical behaviors of the various zones were characterized using nanoindentation. The static tensile test and high cycle fatigue test were performed to evaluate the mechanical properties of welded joint and base metal. The microstructures, tensile properties and fatigue strength of base metal as well as welded metal were analyzed. The fatigue fracture surfaces of base metal and welded joint were observed by means of scanning electron microscopy, in order to identify fatigue crack initiation sites and propagation mechanisms. Moreover, the fatigue fracture characteristics and mechanisms for the laser welded TWIP steel joints were analyzed.