Fatigue life prediction of HSLA-65 welds made by laser/GMAW processes

The effect of weld profile on fatigue life of laser welded HSLA-65 steel is evaluated. Fatigue life expectancy of cruciform specimens loaded cyclically in axial tension-compression is predicted using finite element analysis to determine stress concentration factors for various weld profiles. Comparison between analytical models and experimental results is presented. The ability of the Laser/GMAW process to produce desirable weld profiles resulting in specimens having fatigue life superior to that of conventional welds is shown.