PULSED LASER WELDING OF STAINLESS STEEL TO CARBON STEEL

The laser welding technology is widely spread in the industry for common or special designated applications. The laser welding process is characterised by the high concentration of energy and the short time of interaction between the laser and material resulting a rapid meting and solidification of the melted bath. Therefore, a low heat affected zone can be obtained due to the high welding speeds but in the same time an increased cracking susceptibility can occurs in case of high alloyed steels.

This paper addresses to the weldability of stainless steel in a dissimilar joint. Experimental testes regarding the laser welding of stainless steel with carbon steel are realised in order to restrain the domain of the laser welding parameters. A pulsed ROFIN laser is used for the achievement of dissimilar welding between thin sheets of AISI 1010 carbon steel and AISI 321 stainless steel. The welding geometry and microstructure is investigated trough optical and electronic microscopy and the Fe, Cr and Ni distribution in the weld bead section is determined using EDS analyses.