Welding of thermomechanically rolled fine-grain steel by different types of lasers

The autogenous laser welding of 2.5 mm thick butt joints of thermomechanically rolled fine-grain steel grade S420MC was investigated. Butt joints were laser welded by the Yb:YAG Disk laser, emitted a circular laser beam with spot diameter of 200 μm at 1.03 μm wavelength, and also by the high power direct diode laser, emitted a rectangular beam with dimension of 1.8x6.8 mm at 808 nm wavelength. Different welding modes were identified for the lasers applied. The conduction welding mode was observed in whole of the diode laser welding parameters. While high quality joints, without any internal defects and characterized with satisfactory mechanical performance were produced in a wide range of parameters. The butt joints produced by Disk laser were welded at keyhole mode. In this case a slight tendency to weld porosity was found.