Evaluation of Fatigue Performance of Press Hardening Steel Joints Welded by GMAW-CSC and PAW Processes

The application of press hardening steels is spreading from automobiles, where crashworthiness demands are critical, to other segments, such as the agricultural and road transport industries. However, operational conditions which equipment exposed requires heavier sheet gages adapted joining processes. In this context, fatigue recognized critical failure mode. present article describes procedures results testing performed on GMAW-CSC PAW butt-welded specimens 1500 MPa steel. Both methods suitable alternatives laser welding when relatively heavy-gaged components. obtained also related heat-affected zone characteristics weld bead surfaces. Additionally, some ground-flush were tested. test indicate that both provide performance. As-welded joints ultra-high strength steel accomplished a performance similar welds conventional remarkable increase was observed after flush grinding beads. plasma process presented less good due more extensive manufacturing geometric variability. adopting arc process, in association with post-weld geometry improvement, provides competitive laser-welded steels.