Bending Strength of Laser-Welded Sandwich Steel Panels of Ultra-High Strength Steel

Abstract

The study was performed to investigate the bending resistance of laser-welded sandwich panels (Vf-core). The main aim of the study was to determine the effect of the tensile strength on bending strength of the panel structures. Panels were manufactured using an ultra-high strength (UHS) and low strength (LS) steels with yield strengths of 1200 and 200 MPa, respectively. Secondly, the bending strength of the panel structures was compared with the conventional sheet steels to estimate the possibilities for weight reduction. Results showed that the UHS steel panels had significantly higher bending strength than panels of the LS steel. The bending strength in the weakest loading direction of the UHS panel was approximately four times higher than the one of LS steel panel. The panels made with UHS steel faceplates and LS steel cores had better bending strength than LS steel panels. In comparison to UHS sheet steel, 30% weight saving is estimated by using the geometry optimized UHS steel panel.