Fatigue Behavior of Laser-Cut Sheet Metal Parts with Brazed-On Elements

Abstract

Laser cutting is used in the production of formed sheet metal components. However, the cyclic load capacity is reduced compared to other subtractive processes. Laser cutting results in a significant loss of fatigue strength; however, thermal joining has its own effect on the cyclic load capacity. Accordingly, brazing causes a significant reduction in the mechanical strength. However, the open question is what consequences a combination of both processes may have on the overall fatigue strength of sheet metals. Laser-cut samples of AISI 304 with and without a brazed-on element were investigated for their microstructure and mechanical properties. The brazing process was found to have an annealing effect on the microstructure. It was further observed that the fatigue behavior of brazed specimens is dominated by inhomogeneities at the surface of the filler metal fillet located in the geometric notch of the brazed joint. Fatigue strength decreased by almost 50% compared to as-cut specimens. As long as no shared diffusion zone is formed between the laser-cut and the brazed joint, the use of laser cutting for the production of such components appears to be reasonable and does not further contribute to the loss of cyclic strength.