Forming of tailor welded blanks through centerline and offset laser welding

The forming of low and high strength tailor welded steel sheets into preferred three-dimensional shapes by a homogeneous distribution of plastic strain is highly difficult. In this work, the formability of tailor-welded blanks prepared using laser welding of low (IS 513 CR2, IS 513 CR3) and high tensile strength (AISI 304) steel sheets were analyzed and the formation of the edge profile and weld line movement was also examined. The results showed a decrease in formability characteristics owing to the increase in Strength Ratio. Scanning Electron Microscope analysis of the fracture locations within unsuccessfully formed tailor welded blanks showed the presence of tempered martensite in the soft zone was found to be the most predominant factor affecting its failure. The formability characteristics of investigated tailored blanks were predicted using finite element simulation and compared with experimented results for validation.