Experimental investigation on seam geometry, microstructure evolution and microhardness profile of laser welded martensitic stainless steels

This paper investigates the effects of energy density on geometry of the weld seam and development of microstructures at various weld zones. Energy-based local microhardness profiles are made and linked with the formation of the microstructures. Weld resistance at the interface is energy-limited and seam profile only changes from conical to cylindrical after a certain limit of energy input. Microstructures in the fusion zone changes from cellular to columnar dendritic and equiaxed dendritic with increasing energy input. Variation in morphology of microstructures across the fusion zone is evident within the weld. A distinct region exists in between fusion and heat affected zones due to retention of the primary ferrite. Local microhardness reaches its peak in the fusion zone and decreases gradually from fusion zone to base metal of the outer shell. In the inner shell, peak microhardness occurs in HAZ and the local softening relative to fusion zone and HAZ is visible at the fusion boundary.