Suppressed low-temperature toughness mismatch between the fusion zone (FZ) and base metal (BM) was achieved in a Q450NQR1 high-strength weathering steel joint by employing laser-arc hybrid welding (LAHW) with beam oscillation (O-LAHW), thereby avoiding the heat aggregation of conventional LAHW at the center of the molten pool. The O-LAHWed joint exhibited a higher content of acicular ferrite in the FZ, increasing it by 8% compared with the LAHWed joint, reaching the maximum value of 61%. Meanwhile, the O-LAHWed joint demonstrates higher ultimate tensile strength (775 MPa), yield strength (697 MPa), and impact absorption energy (175 J for FZ, at -40 °C) compared to LAHWed joints, with increases of 3%, 9%, and 35%, respectively. That is, O-LAHW can significantly improve the impact toughness at low temperatures and exhibit a low-temperature toughness matching degree of 118% with BM, surpassing the metal active-gas arc-welded joints reported in the existing literature by more than one time. The key factor contributing to the improved low-temperature toughness of the FZ was the interlocked microstructure with a high dislocation density promoted by the beam stirring effect.
The full text can be downloaded at https://doi.org/10.1007/s40436-025-00547-y
Meng-Cheng Gong
,
Yu-Chun Deng
,
Zhao-Yang Wang
,
Shuai Zhang
,
Da-Feng Wang
,
Ming Gao
. Enhanced low-temperature toughness of laser-arc hybrid welding of Q450NQR1 high-strength weathering steel via beam oscillation[J]. Advances in Manufacturing, 2025
, 13(4)
: 737
-749
.
DOI: 10.1007/s40436-025-00547-y
[1] Wang Y, Tsutsumi S, Kawakubo T et al (2022) Microstructure, mechanical properties and fatigue behaviors of linear friction welded weathering steels. Int J Fatigue 159:106829. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfatigue.2022.106829
[2] Cao R, Han C, Guo X et al (2022) Effects of boron on the microstructure and impact toughness of weathering steel weld metals and existing form of boron. Mater Sci Eng A 833:142560. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2021.142560
[3] Peng T, Fu C, Qin Z et al (2022) Microstructural characterization and mechanical properties of a Q550W weathering steel welded joint under different heat inputs. J Mater Sci 57(34):16528-16540
[4] Morcillo M, Chico B, Díaz I et al (2013) Atmospheric corrosion data of weathering steels. A review. Corros Sci 77:6-24
[5] Akka? N (2017) Welding time effect on tensile-shear loading in resistance spot welding of SPA-H weathering steel sheets used in railway vehicles. Acta Phys Pol A 131(1):52-54
[6] John B, Paulraj S, Mathew J (2016) The role of shielding gas on mechanical, metallurgical and corrosion properties of corten steel welded joints of railway coaches using GMAW. Adv Sci Technol Res J 10(32):156-168
[7] Zhao D, Bezgans Y, Vdonin N et al (2022) Mechanical performance and microstructural characteristic of gas metal arc welded A606 weathering steel joints. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 119(3/4):1921-1932
[8] Li S (2018) Research on microstructure and properties of welded joints of high strength weathering steel for heavy haul train. Dissertation, Anhui University of Technology
[9] Zhang X, Mi G, Li S et al (2018) Study of microstructural inhomogeneity and its effects on mechanical properties of multi-layer laser welded joint. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 94(5/8):2163-2174
[10] Zhen S, Duan Z, Sun D et al (2014) Study on microstructures and mechanical properties of laser-arc hybrid welded S355J2W+N steel. Opt Laser Technol 59:11-18
[11] Gu X, Duan Z, Gu X et al (2015) Microstructure and mechanical properties of laser-MAG hybrid welded thick-section weathered steel joint. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 81(5/8):825-831
[12] Hao K, Gao Z, Huang J et al (2023) Comparisons of laser and laser-arc hybrid welded carbon steel with beam oscillation. Opt Laser Technol 157:108787. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optlastec.2022.108787
[13] Meng Y, Fu J, Zhang S et al (2023) Laser-arc hybrid welding of AZ31B magnesium alloy by newly-designed beam oscillating pattern. J Manuf Process 93:208-218
[14] Shi L, Jiang L, Gao M (2022) Numerical research on melt pool dynamics of oscillating laser-arc hybrid welding. Int J Heat Mass Transfer 185:122421. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2021.122421
[15] Lonsdale D, Flewitt P (1978) The role of grain size on the ductile-brittle transition of a 2.25 Pct Cr-1 Pct Mo steel. Metall Trans A 9:1619-1623
[16] Wang J, Shen Y, Xue W et al (2021) The significant impact of introducing nanosize precipitates and decreased effective grain size on retention of high toughness of simulated heat affected zone (HAZ). Mater Sci Eng A 803:140484. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2020.140484
[17] Wang B, Liu X, Wang G (2018) Inclusion characteristics and acicular ferrite nucleation in Ti-containing weld metals of X80 pipeline steel. Metall Mater Trans A 49:2124-2138
[18] Kang Y, Jeong S, Kang J et al (2016) Factors affecting the inclusion potency for acicular ferrite nucleation in high-strength steel welds. Metall Mater Trans A 47:2842-2854
[19] Chen C, Zhou H, Wang C et al (2021) Laser welding of ultra-high strength steel with different oscillating modes. J Manuf Processes 68:761-769
[20] Lv S, Wu H, Wang K et al (2023) The microstructure evolution and influence factors of acicular ferrite in low alloy steels. Comput Mater Sci 218:111989. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.commatsci.2022.111989