Assessment of The Cracking Properties of Stainless Steel Alloys and their Usability for Laser Welding in Production

Methods to assess stainless steel alloys’ cracking properties and usability for laser welding has been studied. Also tests to assess alloys’ susceptibility to hot cracking has been conducted. Among these is the so-called Weeter test which assesses the alloy by executing a number of spot welds to provoke cracking in the alloy.

In this work the Weeter test has been modified and changed in order to develop a faster and easier test also applicable to small specimens. The new test, called a Groove test differs from the Weeter test by its procedure in which linear seam welds are conducted instead of spot welds. The Groove test has the advantage of an easier microscopy and analysis in the welds.

Results from crack tests was partly confirmed by predictions made on the basis of the alloy’s constituents and solidification growth rate.