Experimental And Numerical Studies On Laser Beam Welding Of Maraging Steel 250 Grade

Abstract

Laser beam welding (LBW) is an advanced manufacturing process that provides highquality newlinematerial joining with enhanced precision, making it particularly suitable for complex newlineand intricate parts. The welding technique is widely used in the automobile and aerospace newlineindustries due to its ability to produce narrow welds, faster welding times, minimal distortion, newlineand reduced contamination. Maraging steels are ultra-high-strength iron-nickel alloys, known newlinefor their exceptional resistance to fractures, with a yield strength exceeding 1,400 MPa. As a newlineresult, makes them suitable for various military applications, such as rocket motor casings, newlinemissile structures, and ship hulls. newlineIn the present study, the LBW process is applied to 250-grade maraging steel plates, newlineeach with a thickness of 2 mm. Welding trials are conducted using a Nd:YAG laser beam newlinewith varied parameters, such as laser power, welding speed, and focal distance, along with a newlineconstant shielding gas flow rate of 50 lit/min. The process impact on the welded joints newlinemechanical and metallurgical properties is explored, focusing primarily on tensile strength newlineand hardness. newlinePost-weld heat treatment (PWHT) is conducted at 480°C for 3 hours, leading to a lath newlinemartensite structure in the fusion zone, which improved the mechanical properties. Grey newlinerelational analysis (GRA) based on the Taguchi method is employed to optimize the LBW newlineprocess, revealing that laser power and welding speed are key factors for tensile strength and newlinepenetration depth. newline