Microstructural Aspects of Bifocal Laser Welding of TRIP Steels

This work is concerned with comparative tests involving single-spot and twin-spot laser welding of thermomechanically rolled TRIP steel. The welding tests were carried out using keyhole welding and a solid state laser. In the case of twin-spot laser beam welding, the power distribution of beams was 50%:50%. The changes in macro- and microstructures were investigated using light and scanning electron microscopy. Three main zones subjected to the tests included the fusion zone, the heat affected zone and the intercritical heat affected zone (transition zone between the base material and the HAZ). Special attention was paid to the effect of various thermal cycles on the microstructure of each zone and on martensite morphology. The tests involved hardness measurements carried out in order to investigate the effect of different microstructures on mechanical properties of welds.