Mechanical properties of laser-welded and adhesive-bonded ultra-high-strength steel lap joints

Abstract The need to manufacture lightweight structures from ultra-high-strength steels is forcing industry look for new joining technologies. Hybrid joints are one of the ways join materials. This paper investigates ultra-high strength steel plates using laser welding and adhesive bonding. Steel used in this was abrasion resistant (AR600) with tensile (Rm) ≥ 2 GPa. Three different epoxy adhesives were experiments. weld morphologies investigated optical microscopy. mechanical properties lap evaluated by hardness measurements shear tests. Examining profiles joints, it became clear that causes an air gap between plates, which affects morphology joint. caused increased width at interface plates. approximately 25% larger adhesive-bonded Based on tests, use addition significantly improved best laser-welded joint 84% higher than