In this paper, the formability of YAG and diode laser welded blanks of a dual phase (DP) steel with banded martensite was investigated by using limiting dome height (LDH) testing method. One high strength low alloy (HSLA) steel with equiaxed ferrite matrix was included for comparison. Both steels had a ferrite matrix and dispersed secondary phase, namely martensite and carbide. The failure mode and dome height at fracture were examined on both parent metals and welded blanks. It was found that the failure pattern of DP parent metal was determined by its rolling direction. With increasing plastic strain, voids initiated along interfaces between ferrite/martensite due to decohesion between two phases and propagated preferentially along the interface. For DP welded blanks, dome test failures occurred within the softened zone in the heat affected zone (HAZ) regardless of the orientation between weld and rolling direction. Voids formed at the interfaces between ferrite and tempered martensite. The presence of the softened HAZ zone led to dramatic LDH decrease compared to the parent metal. The diode laser welded blanks had a lower dome height than that of YAG laser welded blanks due to their more severe HAZ softening. In comparison, HSLA parent metal and welded blanks exhibited almost the same LDH values and showed insensitivity to welding process. The failure of HSLA welded blanks initiated from the weld and propagated perpendicular to the unaffected base metal.
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