The impact of laser welding parameters on the mechanical properties of the weld

This paper discusses the effect of selected parameters of laser welding on the mechanical properties of welds. Two parameters were analysed: the welding speed and the laser power. The properties of the material in the fusion zone and the heat affected zone were determined by performing static tensile tests, hardness tests and microscopic analysis. The welding was carried out using a TRUMPF Lasercell 1005 CO2 laser (wavelength lambda 10.6 mu m). The specimens were 0.8 mm in thickness and they were made of DC04 steel. The static tensile tests were conducted by means of a LabTest 5.20SP1 universal testing machine designed to determine the tensile and compressive strengths. The material hardness was measured with a NEXUS 4304 Vickers hardness tester. The microscopic analysis was performed with a Joel JSM-5400 scanning electron microscope. The results indicate that welds produced at different welding parameters have similar mechanical properties.