Effect of Laser Beam Welding on the Cyclic Material Behavior of the Press-hardened Martensitic Chromium Steel X46Cr13

Abstract

For the application of high-strength materials in welded joints, a point of principle is how the strength of the sheet metal is affected by cyclic loading and by welding. For the investigation of the cyclic material behavior of the press-hardened martensitic chromium steel X46Cr13, strain-controlled fatigue tests were performed and evaluated. The aim of compensating the limitations in the weldability of this press-hardened material is achieved by a reduced heat input of the laser beam welding and a defined heat treatment. The effect of laser beam welding on the fatigue properties is shown by the cyclic behavior of butt joints. The cyclic material behavior is the basis of strain-based fatigue assessment approaches. Both cyclic stress-strain curves and strain-life curves are used for the fatigue life estimation. No clear difference between the press-hardened base material and butt joints has been found in the cyclic stress-strain curves. Transient effects are found by comparison of hysteresis loops of the initial loading, at the cyclically stabilized state and at crack initiation. Cyclic hardening is concluded from the initial loading and the cyclically stabilized state. By comparison of strain-life curves, a difference in the number of cycles to crack initiation between the base material and butt joints is found. Cycles to crack initiation of butt joints tested under strain control result in over 50 % of the base material’s fatigue strength at 1·106 cycles to failure.