Next Article in Journal
Effects of Mg Content and Pulsed Magnetic Field Treatment on Microstructure and Properties of As-Cast Biodegradable Zn-3Cu Alloy
Previous Article in Journal
Numerical Simulation of the Hot Isostatic Pressing Densification Behavior of Ti6Al4V Powder for a Thin-Walled Tubular Component with Non-Axisymmetric Inner Ribs
 
 
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

Microstructure and Mechanical Behaviors of Fiber-Laser-Welded QP980-QP1180 Steels

by
Hafize Çelik
1,2,* and
Onur Saray
1
1
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Bursa Technical University, 16310 Bursa, Turkey
2
TOFAS R&D Center, Turkish Automobile Factory, 16110 Bursa, Turkey
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Metals 2025, 15(2), 174; https://doi.org/10.3390/met15020174
Submission received: 16 January 2025 / Revised: 4 February 2025 / Accepted: 7 February 2025 / Published: 9 February 2025

Abstract

Advanced high-strength steels are considered the first choice when manufacturing lighter vehicles. Quench-partitioning (QP) steels are good candidates that fulfill manufacturing and performance requirements with their outstanding strength and formability. Laser welding offers a productive solution to the challenges of liquid metal embrittlement due to a low heat input and higher welding efficiency. This study investigated the microstructural evolution and mechanical performance of dissimilar laser-welded joints between QP980 and QP1180 steels. The microstructure of the joint mainly consisted of martensite phase in the fusion zone (FZ) and super-critical heat-affected zone (HAZ). In the mid and sub-critical HAZ, the microstructure consisted of tempered martensite along with ferrite and retained austenite on both sides. Due to these microstructural evolutions, FZ and HAZ are strengthened, and thus, laser welds can be achieved without the formation of a visible soft zone. Fracture of the joints occurred in softer base metal (BM) with ductile characteristics without any considerable strength loss. However, the ductility of the joints was lower than that of BMs because of deformation localization due to microstructure, yield strength, and thickness variations in the tensile and Erichsen test specimens. These results show that laser welding can be considered an effective alternative for joining QP steels.
Keywords: advanced high-strength steels (AHSSs); quench-partitioning (QP) steels; scanning electron microscopy (SEM); electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD); fiber laser welding; Erichsen; mechanical testing advanced high-strength steels (AHSSs); quench-partitioning (QP) steels; scanning electron microscopy (SEM); electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD); fiber laser welding; Erichsen; mechanical testing

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Çelik, H.; Saray, O. Microstructure and Mechanical Behaviors of Fiber-Laser-Welded QP980-QP1180 Steels. Metals 2025, 15, 174. https://doi.org/10.3390/met15020174

AMA Style

Çelik H, Saray O. Microstructure and Mechanical Behaviors of Fiber-Laser-Welded QP980-QP1180 Steels. Metals. 2025; 15(2):174. https://doi.org/10.3390/met15020174

Chicago/Turabian Style

Çelik, Hafize, and Onur Saray. 2025. "Microstructure and Mechanical Behaviors of Fiber-Laser-Welded QP980-QP1180 Steels" Metals 15, no. 2: 174. https://doi.org/10.3390/met15020174

APA Style

Çelik, H., & Saray, O. (2025). Microstructure and Mechanical Behaviors of Fiber-Laser-Welded QP980-QP1180 Steels. Metals, 15(2), 174. https://doi.org/10.3390/met15020174

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop