Longitudinal Grain Research Articles

Microstructure and crack propagation behavior of 2195 Al–Li alloy with different orientations in the friction stir welding nugget zone

The 2195 Al–Li alloy is widely used in the aerospace field, where using friction stir welding technology can achieve lightweight and reduced wear designs for components. Fatigue failure, as one of the main modes of damage affecting the life and reliability of structural components, is particularly significant. This paper thoroughly explores the differences in microstructure and fatigue crack propagation behavior between the advancing side and retreating side of the friction stir welded joint in different sampling directions, providing a theoretical basis for enhancing the fatigue performance of friction stir welds. Characterization of the microstructure of the samples was performed using Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and the fatigue properties were investigated using fatigue crack propagation rate curves and crack growth rate curves. The results indicate that the longitudinal base material grains tend to a fibrous structure, while the axial base material grains are distributed in a lamellar fashion. Compared to the advancing side of weld nugget zone, the retreating side of weld nugget zone has significantly reduced grain size and texture types. The fatigue performance of the retreating side of the weld nugget zone is superior to that of the advancing side, and the circumferential welds outperform the longitudinal welds in terms of fatigue performance.

Analisis Kerusakan Dan Penanganan Jalan Menggunakan Metode Bina Marga Pada Ruas Jalan Poros Pare-Pare - Sidrap Di Kabupaten Sidrap

This study was conducted to understand the condition of traffic characteristics, types of road damage, the value of road conditions, and handling road damage on the Pare-pare - Sidrap Axis road section in Sidrap Regency KM 177+000 to KM 178+000. Meanwhile, the method used in this study is the Highways method. This method reviews the volume of traffic and the type of damage that occurs on the road pavement visually with the final result in the form of a road condition value which will later be an alternative solution in repairing road damage at the research site. The results of the study were in the form of the value of traffic characteristics on the pare-pare - sidrap axis road section in Sidrap Regency for STA 0 + 000 - 1 + 000 which obtained the average speed value of all vehicles on the right and left lanes of 34.74 km / h and 35.03 km / h respectively with an LHR volume value of 8630.675 SMP / Day. Meanwhile, the types of road damage found at the study site are longitudinal cracks, random cracks, crocodile cracks, grooves, collapses, roughs, grain release, disintegration, and patches and potholes. With the value of road conditions in priority order 4 which is included in the category of periodic maintenance.

The mechanical anisotropy of Mg-Zn-Y alloys with columnar crystals in specific orientation

The Mg99.2Zn0.2Y0.6 alloys were prepared by directional solidification, and the effect of loading modes on mechanical anisotropy and deformation mechanism of the alloys was studied. The microstructure of the alloy is columnar crystals whose growth orientations are mainly concentrated in <112(_)0>. When the tensile load is parallel to longitudinal grain boundaries of columnar crystals, the alloy has high yield strength (232 MPa), owing to basal <a> slip with hard orientation and {101(_)1} contraction twinning with high critical resolved shear stress (CRSS), but work hardening is not obvious. When the compressive load is parallel to longitudinal grain boundaries of columnar crystals, the alloy has high compressive strength (337 MPa) and good plasticity (maximum strain, 24 %), as well as distinct work hardening, which are related to (112(_)1) [112(_)6(_)] twins and good strain compatibility of grain boundaries. When the compressive load is perpendicular to longitudinal grain boundaries, the alloy shows high plasticity (maximum strain, 31 %) because the strip-like extension twins are parallel to the longitudinal grain boundaries during deformation.

Study and Experiment on Screen Surface Homogenization Technology of Dislodged Material Based on Longitudinal Flow Threshing

Aiming at the problems of uneven distribution of dislodged material on the screen surface of longitudinal axial flow grain combine harvester, a large difference in material clearing time, and large clearing loss, a dislodged material homogenizing device that can realize dislodged material return and homogenization at the rear of longitudinal axial flow was developed. (1) The structure and motion parameters of the reflux plate were determined, and simulation tests were carried out to verify them; (2) A test bench was set up, and the Box-Behnken test method was adopted to determine the influence law of each factor on the operating effect and the optimal parameter combination, and the results showed that the tilt angle of the return plate, motor speed, and amplitude had a significant influence on the distribution uniformity of the material on the screen surface; it was determined that the optimal combination of the angle of the return plate configuration was 28.7°, the speed of the motor was 247 r/min, the amplitude of the return plate was 18.3 mm, and the seed contamination rate was 0.48%. The optimum combination was determined to be 28.7°, 247 r/min, 18.3 mm, and 0.48% impurity rate; (3) under the conditions of the field test validation, the validation error is less than 5%, proving that it can effectively improve the performance of the clearing and reduce the rate of impurity content.

Flexural behavior and load-bearing capacity calculation methodology for wooden beams strengthened using aluminum plates attached with self-tapping screws

ABSTRACT To investigate the flexural failure mode and behavior of wooden beams strengthened using aluminum (Al) plates, which were attached with self-tapping screws and structural adhesive, ten specimens were tested in bending. The experimental parameters were the thickness of the bottom Al plate, the longitudinal and transverse grain spacing of the self-tapping screws. The experimental results revealed that (1) compared with unreinforced beams, the reinforced beams exhibited ultimate load capacity and displacement ductility coefficients that were 18.4%–54.3% and 6.4%–43.1% higher, respectively; (2) for the same Al plate thickness in the tensioned area, the initial stiffness of the reinforced wooden beams increases as the longitudinal grain spacing of the screw grains decreases; (3) the plane-section assumption was satisfied by the strain in the middle section of the Al plate-reinforced wooden beam along the height; (4) the strains at the same position in the wooden beam and Al plate were similar, thus indicating that the wooden beam and Al plate behaved collectively. Furthermore, a formula was proposed for calculating the flexural capacity of an Al plate-reinforced wooden beam, thus providing a valuable reference when designing wooden beam reinforcements.

Enhancement of hardness and corrosion resistance of Al-Si-N multilayer color coating via SiN/AlSiN/AlN compositional gradient interlayer

The color of AlN/Si/Al coating can be controlled by the thickness of the AlN layer according to the interference effect. However, the loading capacity is affected by the large hardness difference between the Si and Al layers. Corrosion resistance is relatively weak due to penetration defects in the AlN surface layer. In this work, therefore, a SiN/AlSiN/AlN interlayer is sputtered in between the Si/Al layer in the AlN/Si/Al coating as the transition layer. The chemical state, structure, morphology, color, hardness, and corrosion resistance of the as-deposited Al-Si-N coating are carefully characterized using x-ray photoelectron spectrometry, grazing incident x-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscope, colorimeter, nanoindentation, and electrochemical corrosion meter, respectively. To evaluate the long-term corrosion resistance, the uncoated, AlN/Si/Al-coated, and AlN/Si/SiN/AlSiN/AlN/Al-coated AZ31B Mg alloys are immersed in salt solution for different durations, followed by characterization of morphology and composition. The results show that the SiN/AlSiN/AlN interlayer is of a gradient structure in both composition and hardness. The AlN crystals grow continuously from the Al bonding layer into the AlSiN layer, resulting in internal longitudinal grain boundaries. The coating surface becomes smoother with a roughness (Rq) of 12.6 nm. The color of the coating is controlled by the AlN surface layer thickness. The coating hardness increases from 6.5 to 20.6 GPa. The corrosion current density of the coating decreases from 2.02 × 10−6 to 1.99 × 10−8 A/cm2. The coating could withstand corrosion in salt solution for at least 192h. The gradient structure of the interlayer effectively alleviates the hardness difference between the Si layer and the Al layer and inhibits the penetration of the corrosive medium from the surface. The mechanism for the enhanced corrosion resistance is explained through a model.

Influence of Various Alloying Element Additions on Microstructure and Magnetic and Mechanical Properties and Corrosion Behavior of Cast Fe–Ga–Z Shape Memory Alloys

Fe–Ga alloys are attractive materials where high mechanical strength, toughness, ductility, and large low-field magnetostriction combine to give unique properties. Adding alloying elements is an effective method to further enhance these properties. In order to integrate these alloys into the operating environments, e.g., micro-robots and magnetic actuators, the corrosion behavior should be addressed. This work analyzed the microstructure, magnetization, hardness, and corrosion properties of Fe81Ga19−xZx (X = 5 at.% of Ni, Mn, or Ti, and 2 at.% Al; separately) alloys. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope-electron (SEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), Vickers hardness (HV), and a potentiostat were used for characterization. XRD revealed that the prominent peak belongs to the bcc disorder A2 phase and a small peak for the cubic order L12 phase. Fe–Ga–Al alloy got the maximum Ms value, while Fe–Ga–Mn alloy gained the lowest one. However, the Mr and Hc properties for Fe–Ga alloy were distinctly improved by adding Al but slightly affected by doping Mn. Addition of Ti achieved the highest hardness, followed by Ni, Mn, and Al. The microstructure of the different alloys significantly influenced their corrosion behavior. Fe–Ga–Mn alloy with the fine globular grain structure showed the lowest corrosion rate (C R = 0.03 mm/year), whereas Fe–Ga–Al alloy with the coarse longitudinal grains exhibited the highest corrosion rate (C R = 0.19 mm/year).

Enhanced fracture toughness stability of (B,Y)-contained TiAl-based alloy prepared by cold crucible directional solidification

Cold crucible directional solidification (CCDS) can be used to prepare the well-DS TiAl-based alloys with good mechanical properties. However, when the DS columnar grains are coarsened, the stability of fracture toughness will not be guaranteed due to the internal random-direction (α2+γ) lamellas. In this study, in order to improve the fracture toughness stability of CCDS TiAl-based alloys, (B,Y) refinement element was added, and the model alloys Ti–44Al–6Nb–1Cr–2V and Ti–44Al–6Nb–1Cr–2V-(0.1B,0.15Y) were used. The two alloys were fabricated by CCDS under the same parameters, and their macro/microstructure and fracture toughness were studied. The results showed that the B/Y compounds hindered the growth of dendrites, narrowed the DS window, and significantly refined the columnar grains. The fracture toughness of well-DS Ti–44Al–6Nb–1Cr–2V-(0.1B,0.15Y) alloy with the refined columnar grains was still at a higher level, and the key was that the stability of its fracture toughness was significantly improved comparing with that of the well-DS Ti–44Al–6Nb–1Cr–2V alloy with the coarsened columnar grains. It was found that the well-DS Ti–44Al–6Nb–1Cr–2V-(0.1B,0.15Y) alloy could provide more longitudinal grain boundary barriers for the radial crack propagation, create more crack deflection when the crack entered the next columnar grain (lamella colony) and avoid the crack long-distance propagation along the bad-orientation (α2+γ) lamellas.

In-Situ Study on the Tensile Deformation and Fracture Mechanism of a Bimodal-Structured Mg-Gd-Y Alloy.

The as-extruded (EX) Mg-Gd-Y alloy studied here exhibited a bimodal structure, composed of fine dynamic recrystallized (DRXed) grains with random orientations and longitudinal coarse hot-worked grains. The slip analysis showed the DRXed grains exhibited mainly basal slips, while the hot-worked grains exhibited mainly prismatic slips during the tensile deformation. The distribution of geometrically necessary dislocations (GNDs) showed that there was strain partitioning between the fine and coarse grain regions. The hetero-deformation induced (HDI) hardening occurred between the two domains. It improves the strength and strain hardening capability of the alloy, leading to good strength-ductility synergy. Microcracks tended to nucleate at the DRXed grain boundaries, as well as at the interface between the two domains. The calculation of geometric compatibility parameter (m') indicated that strain incompatibility between the adjacent grains induced the crack nucleation. The toughening effect of the fine DRXed grains hindered the crack propagation. However, the major crack formed at the interface between the two domains propagated unstably, due to the high stress concentration and the large crack size, causing the final failure.

Design and Analysis of a High-Precision Dynamic Compensation System for Seed Dropping Position in Corn Sowing Operations

In response to the problem of imprecise maintenance of plant spacing and row spacing during corn sowing operations in the middle of existing corn farms, this study designed a dynamic compensation system for corn seed dropping position. The test system includes a corn seeding machine operating unit, a seed dropping variable measurement and control system unit, a terminal control system, and a dynamic compensation system. The dynamic performance of the control system was tested experimentally. When undisturbed signals were loaded, regardless of whether the machine used the position compensation function or not, the coefficient of variation of longitudinal grain spacing was 2.6% ± 0.2%, and the longitudinal grain spacing was basically consistent. After adding disturbance signals, compared with not using the dynamic compensation function, the variation coefficient of seed spacing decreased by an average of 6.94% when using the dynamic compensation function. When using the dynamic compensation function, compared with not using dynamic compensation function, the variation coefficient of lateral grain spacing decreased by an average of 9.16%. Stability analysis of longitudinal and lateral grain spacing was conducted through bench tests, verifying the stability of the proposed dynamic compensation system for seed dropping position.

Directional recrystallization of an additively manufactured Ni-base superalloy

Metal additive manufacturing processes can create intricate components that are difficult to form with conventional processing methods; however, the as-printed materials often have fine grain structures that result in poor high-temperature creep properties, especially compared to directionally solidified materials. Here, we address this limitation in an exemplary additively manufactured Ni-base superalloy, AM IN738LC, by converting the fine as-printed grain structure to a coarse columnar one via directional recrystallization. The directional recrystallization behaviors of AM IN738LC were characterized through a parameter study in which the peak temperature and draw rate were each independently varied. Recrystallization began when the peak temperature was higher than the γ′ solvus of 1183 °C. Varying the draw rate from 1 to 100 mm/hr while maintaining a fixed peak temperature of 1235 °C and a thermal gradient of order 10 5 °C/m ahead of the hot zone showed that a draw rate of 2.5 mm/hr maximized the grain size, giving a mean longitudinal grain size of 650 µm. Specimens processed under these optimal conditions also inherited the 〈100〉 fiber texture of the as-printed material. Close inspection of a quenched specimen revealed Zener pinning of the longitudinal grain boundaries by MC carbides and a discrete primary recrystallization front whose position followed the γ′ solvus isotherm. The present results demonstrate for the first time how directional recrystallization of additively manufactured Ni-base superalloys can achieve large columnar grains, manipulate crystallographic texture to minimize thermal stresses expected in service, and functionally grade the grain structure to selectively enhance fatigue or creep performance.

An Example of the Use of Traditional Woodworking Hand Tools in Product Design Studies at the Institute of Design Technologies of the Faculty of Materials Science and Applied Chemistry of Riga Technical University

Initially, hand tools were created to facilitate the processing of materials in manufacturing utility items. Tool design, technology, and ergonomics evolved along with the growing human ability to process new materials. The tool range has expanded to meet more diverse needs of the woodworking industry, adapting the tools for both universal use and specific functions. Understanding of the functionalities of woodworking hand tools is essential for observing the sequence of material processing and practical processing operations, as well as in building awareness of the properties of the wood material. This is ensured by the interaction between the operator, the tool, and the workpiece. An important aspect in raising awareness is the relatively low processing speed and the processing of the material with human-controlled movements. Treatment of wood with craft methods and tools reveals the characteristic properties of the material, including specifics of wood grain direction, the difference in the density of earlywood and latewood, and the difference in the longitudinal and transverse grain direction. It also allows understanding the most typical wood defects. To make the process of learning a wood material meaningful in the study process, it is integrated with product manufacturing, making students create a wooden puzzle. This process implies running a sequential crafting process from a solid pine board to a finished and functional product – a puzzle. Students have to make it following a uniform design drawing showing the proportions of the pieces and joints. While making a wooden puzzle, students choose the most appropriate tools for each processing stage. In the process, it is necessary to check, measure, mark, and cut the workpiece. The result is a three-dimensional product that may be assembled and disassembled. The assembly and disassembly process allows appreciating the role of processing accuracy in the course of work and its impact on the end result.

Tradicionālo kokapstrādes rokas instrumentu lietojuma piemērs produktu dizaina studijās Rīgas Tehniskās universitātes Materiālzinātnes un lietišķās ķīmijas fakultātes Dizaina tehnoloģiju institūtā

Initially, hand tools were created to facilitate the processing of materials in manufacturing utility items. Tool design, technology, and ergonomics evolved along with the growing human ability to process new materials. The tool range has expanded to meet more diverse needs of the woodworking industry, adapting the tools for both universal use and specific functions. Understanding of the functionalities of woodworking hand tools is essential for observing the sequence of material processing and practical processing operations, as well as in building awareness of the properties of the wood material. This is ensured by the interaction between the operator, the tool, and the workpiece. An important aspect in raising awareness is the relatively low processing speed and the processing of the material with human-controlled movements. Treatment of wood with craft methods and tools reveals the characteristic properties of the material, including specifics of wood grain direction, the difference in the density of earlywood and latewood, and the difference in the longitudinal and transverse grain direction. It also allows understanding the most typical wood defects. To make the process of learning a wood material meaningful in the study process, it is integrated with product manufacturing, making students create a wooden puzzle. This process implies running a sequential crafting process from a solid pine board to a finished and functional product – a puzzle. Students have to make it following a uniform design drawing showing the proportions of the pieces and joints.

Construction and Verification of Spherical Thin Shell Model for Revealing Walnut Shell Crack Initiation and Expansion Mechanism

Walnut shell breaking is the first step of deep walnut processing. This study aims to investigate the mechanical properties and fracture state of the Qingxiang walnut shell under unidirectional load and guide the complete separation of the walnut shell and kernel. The spherical thin shell model of the walnut (the fitting error is less than 5%) was established and verified. The process from the initiation to the expansion of walnut cracks was analyzed. The crack expansion rate was estimated in terms of the crack fracture regularity on the shell’s surface. Based on the momentless theory and finite element simulation analysis, we found that the stress on the shell surface in the concentrated force action region was gradient distributed from inside to outside and that the internal forces were equal in all directions in the peripheral force action region. The unidirectional impact shell-breaking experiments confirmed the reliability of our spherical thin shell model and verified our hypothesis of walnut shell fracture along the longitudinal grain. Our results can provide a theoretical basis for the development and structural optimization of shell-breaking machinery.

玉米播种位置动态补偿系统设计与台架试验分析

Aiming at the problem that the existing planters cannot accurately maintain the seeding spacing and row spacing in the field, the high-speed photography technology is used to analyze the seeding trajectory, so as to determine the key factors affecting the seeding position. First, a dynamic compensation system for maize seeding position based on fuzzy PID control was designed. In the dynamic compensation system, the biaxial angle sensor was used to detect the angle of seeding monomer, and the space rotation theory was used to calculate the offset of the seeding position. Then, the dynamic compensation of seeding position was completed by the fuzzy PID control servo electric push rod, and the response time of fuzzy PID control system was 0.035 s. When the seed spacing of maize was 30 cm, the conveyor speed was 1.67 m/s and the seed tray speed was 30 r/min. Finally, the bench test was carried out under the conditions of random disturbance signal, sinusoidal wave disturbance signal and random disturbance signal plus sinusoidal wave disturbance signal. The results showed that compared without dynamic compensation, the variation coefficient of the longitudinal grain spacing and the transverse grain spacing decreased by an average of 6.94 % and 9.16 %, respectively. In this way, this study can provide a reference for improving the stability of seeding row spacing and plant spacing.

Correlation of crystal orientation, crystal morphology and mechanical properties of directionally solidified Mg-xGd alloys

The Mg-xGd (x = 4–16, wt%) alloys with columnar crystals were prepared by directional solidification, and the effect of Gd content on the crystal orientation, microstructure, and tensile properties at room temperature were studied. The microstructure of the Mg-4Gd alloy is single α-Mg solid solution, and the microstructure of the Mg-6Gd alloy is composed of α-Mg and Mg24Gd distributed along the longitudinal grain boundaries of columnar crystals, while the microstructure of the Mg-(8−16)Gd alloys consists of α-Mg and lamellar eutectic phase. The Mg-4Gd alloy with growth orientation concentrated in< 112(_)0 > (hard orientation) has high yield strength (186 MPa) and moderate elongation (12 %), because {101(_)1} compression twinning are activated to coordinate strain. However, the Mg-6Gd alloy with growth orientation concentrated in<1(_)21(_)2 > (soft orientation) has excellent elongation (38 %), as a result of activated {101(_)2} tension twinning. When the Gd content exceeds 12 %, plenty of eutectic phases will cause low strength and poor plasticity of the Mg-Gd alloys.

ANALISIS KERUSAKAN JALAN PERKERASAN LENTUR RUAS JALAN BATU SANGKAR – OMBILIN STA 5+000 – 10+200, SUMATRA BARAT

The structural and functional condition of the damaged road is very influential and can result in areduced ability of the road so that it cannot provide optimal service to the road users. The decline in the optimal quality of roads occurs due to damage to road infrastructure caused by repeated high traffic volumes. According to the indicators, it can be seen from the condition of the road surface, both structural and functional conditions that have suffered damage. The purpose of this study was to find out the types of damage that occurred and what kind of handling should be done as well as the priority values for repairing damage to the Batusangkar - Ombilin road section by requiring survey data directly to the field to obtain clear data on the dimensions of the damage. The research was conducted using the Pavement Condition Index method which, according to Shahin 2004, determines the PCI value based on 3 main factors, namely the type of damage, severity, and density of damage where the PCI method is a method from the American Guidelines and Procedures for Maintenance of Air Port Pavement (1982) and the Bina Method. Marga which is a method from Indonesia which measures damage based on the Procedures for Compiling a Road Maintenance Program 1990, to get the results and the handling that must be done. This study shows the Pavement Condition Index method, the average yield obtained on the Batusangkar – Ombilin road section, the pavement condition is 50.42 Moderate (Fair) and the Bina Marga analysis, the repair priority value is in the 4-6 range, namely the road is included in the periodic maintenance program with damage. on the Batusangkar - Ombilin road section, namely longitudinal cracks, alligator cracks, patches, holes, grain release, and stripping.

Wave propagation with longitudinal dust grain oscillations in dusty plasma crystals

Traveling waves are studied with a longitudinal dust grain oscillation in dusty plasma crystals modeled by α,β-Fermi Pasta Ulam Tsingou equation. Within the phonon band of the dispersion relation, the quasidiscrete approximation is applied to the relative displacement of the model to derive the nonlinear Schrödinger equation. The bright soliton solution is used as an initial condition for the full integration. The propagation of the robust bright wave is observed for the frequency far from the cutoff frequency while the localize wave is obtained at the cutoff frequency. In the forbidden bandgap, an analytical amplitude threshold of the nonlinear supratransmission phenomenon is derived. The numerical simulation confirms the validity of the analytical threshold, and the train of bright soliton is generated. Finally, by harmonically driving the equation of the longitudinal dusty plasma crystal, the traveling asymmetric bright soliton is generated for the first time from the plane wave.

Effect of CZTS/CCZTS Stacked Structures Prepared through Split-Cycle on the Performance of Flexible Solar Cells

Flexible CZTS solar cells have attracted significant attention in recent years owing to their high earth element composition and high photovoltaic conversion efficiency. However, these cells are associated with limitations common in compound thin-film solar cells, such as heterojunction interface combination centers, material defects, and energy level mismatch. In the current study, a green and simple solution spin-coating method is proposed for the preparation of flexible solar cells with multicycle CZTS/CCZTS absorber stacked structures to effectively circumvent the limitations of flexible devices. The results showed that the optimized Zn/Cd ratio results in CCZTS films with large grain longitudinal growth. However, lots of small broken grains were formed at the bottom of the absorber owing to the large lattice spacing, leading to the formation of cell leakage channels. The surface morphology of the absorber film was improved by preparing a stacked structure of CZTS and CCZTS with different periods while suppressing the longitudinal grain delamination. The stacked structure also helps to match the energy band of CZTS/CCZTS/CdS heterojunction. The top layer of CCZTS forms a buffered “energy band ladder” in the energy band of the CZTS/CdS heterojunction, thus suppressing the rapid carrier recombination caused by the Cliff-type energy band bending. A flexible solar cell was thus prepared to obtain a high photoelectric conversion efficiency of 6.51%, and the cells showed excellent resistance to mechanical bending.

Formability Prediction of Laser-Welded Stainless Steel AISI 304 and AISI 430

The effect of laser welding on the mechanical properties and the prediction of formability for austenitic stainless steel AISI 304 and ferritic steel AISI 430 when welded by a YLS-5000 fiber laser, were studied in the paper. The microstructure of the welded joint was analyzed using light microscopy. The mechanical properties were determined by static tensile testing. The forming limit diagrams were produced from notched samples at R5, R17, and R25 mm. The hardness values of the welded joint and the base material were determined using the Vickers method. Samples made of AISI 430 showed that the formability suffered due to laser welding. Longitudinal coarse ferrite grains were observed in the microstructure of the AISI 430 weld metal. The coarse-grained structure of the welded joint and the continuous interface along the centerline caused the failure of the AISI 430 laser-welded samples at significantly lower actual stress and strain values than were required to break the base material. No significant changes in the formability were observed in the AISI 304 samples after laser welding. The growth of dendrites was observed in the microstructure of the AISI 304 welded joint in a direction towards the centerline of the welded joint. A comparison of the experimentally determined FLD0 values and the values calculated from predictive equations showed that a better agreement was achieved for uniform elongation than for the strain hardening exponent. The manufacturability and economic efficiency of selected parts of an exhaust system by hydromechanical drawing were evaluated on the basis of the process capability index Cpk.