Evaluation of Laser Welding Characteristics of 1.5GPa Grade Ultra High Strength Steel for Automotive Application

1.5GPa급 자동차용 고강도강의 레이저 용접부 특성평가

Recently the use of ultra high strength steels (UHSS) in structural and safety component is rapidly increasing in the automotive industry. For example, 1.5GPa grade hot stamping with die-quenching of boron steel 22MnB5 could apply crash-resistant parts such as bumpers and pillars. The development of laser welding process of hot stamping steels, fundamental bead-on-plate welding and lap joint welding test were carried out using 3kW Nd:YAG laser. Local hardening & HAZ softening occurred in hot stamping steel as a result of metallurgical change caused by the welding heat input in the Nd:YAG laser welding process. The size of soft zones in the hot stamping steel was related to the welding heat input, being smaller at high speeds which generated a smaller heat input. Also in the case of lap joint design structure, same welded characteristics were shown. The HAZ softening degree was controlled to ensure the joint strength.