Differences in Fatigue Strength between Arc and Laser Hybrid Welded Joints

This paper presents the results of fatigue tests, including tests of laser hybrid and arc welded butt joints, for two plate thicknesses, 6 and 12 mm. Pure laser welded joints were also tested. The S-N curves based on nominal stresses for the different welded joints are presented. The results were further analyzed using the notch stress approach, where the fatigue notch factors were determined from the measured geometries of the welded joints. Unexpected differences in the S-N curves based on the notch stresses were found between the laser hybrid and arc welded joints and between the laser hybrid and pure laser welded joints. The reasons for this difference were studied with the help of extensive measurements of weld notch geometries. Significant differences in the geometries were observed. Taking into account the notch geometry and the notch depth, the notch stress approach partially explains the differences between the fatigue endurance limits of the laser hybrid and arc welded joints. The applicability of the notch stress approach to the fatigue design of laser hybrid welded joints is also discussed.