Laser welding of modified 12% Cr stainless steel: Strength, fatigue, toughness, microstructure and corrosion properties

Recently designed modified 12% Cr stainless steel with 0.01% carbon level still conforming to EN 1.4003 and UNS S41003 grades has been joined by laser welding. Tensile and bend tests, fatigue and toughness testing were carried out while tensile and fatigue fractographs were examined. Toughness after the post weld heat treatments at various temperatures was examined. Microstructural investigations, hardness and ferrite content measurements as well as grain size analysis of the weld zones were done. Corrosion resistance was determined by means of salt spray and blister tests. Fairly good strength, ductility and fatigue results were obtained while microstructure--property relationship was explained.