Static and fatigue strengths of laser-welded overlap joints with controlled penetration

Abstract

Static and fatigue strengths of laser welded overlap joints with controlled and full penetrations of 3 mm AISI 304 were investigated. The depth of penetration was controlled by employing certain combinations of laser power and travel speed. Experimental program showed that fatigue and static strengths are dependent on the weld width and independent of the depth of penetration. Larger weld width is attributed to higher static and fatigue strengths. The joints with full penetration possess the same strength characteristics as the samples with controlled penetration.