| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 830378 | Materials & Design (1980-2015) | 2013 | 9 Pages |
Martensitic stainless steels are often used in cases where high strength and medium corrosion resistance are required. In this study, pulsed Nd:YAG laser welding of AISI 420 martensitic stainless steel is considered. Welding of samples were carried out autogenously. The spacing between samples was set to almost zero. All samples were butt welded. The effect of welding parameters such as voltage, laser beam diameter, frequency, pulse duration, and welding speed on the weld dimensions were investigated and the optimum values were obtained for the 450 V voltage, 0.6 mm focal diameter, 6 Hz frequency, 5 ms pulse duration and 1.5 mm/s welding speed. Microstructure of weld pool and heat affected zone (HAZ) were investigated by optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Micro-hardness studies were also carried out. The results showed the presence of some remaining delta-ferrite in the martensitic weld structure and coarsening of M23C6 carbides in HAZ. The magnitude of hardness in the HAZ was higher than that of the weld zone. To reduce the hardness of weld and HAZ and to increase the toughness in these regions, two types of post-weld heat treatments (PWHTs) were carried out. In type 1, samples tempered for 2 h. In type 2, samples austenitizied for 0.5 h at 1010 °C and then tempered for 2 h. In order to achieve high strength and toughness, optimum temper temperatures for type 1 and 2 heat treatments were obtained for 595 and 537 °C, respectively. The results showed higher toughness for type 2 than type 1.
► Weld depth and width increase with voltage and decrease with welding speed. ► The weld microstructure consists of martensite, delta ferrite, retained austenite. ► The high hardness was observed in HAZ due to precipitation of M23C6 carbide. ► Hardness of weld decreases with tempering temperature. ► Higher toughness for type 2 than 1; more martensite transforms to ferrite and M23C6.
