Properties of laser welded stainless steel tubes Available to Purchase

Type 304 and type 430 stainless steel welded tubes were made using CO₂ laser without filler metal in order to investigate the applicability of laser to longitudinal seam welding of stainless steel welded tubes in comparison with TIG welding process which is commonly adopted. A 5 kW CO₂ laser apparatus was installed on a production line and laser beam was condensed through a lens on the longitudinal seam of the strip which was formed tubularly. The properties of welds were studied. Intergranular corrosion was not occured in type 304 stainless steel welds since the precipitation of Cr carbide during cooling was avoided owing to the rapid cooling rate in laser welding. The ductility of type 430 stainless steel welds was improved because grain coarsening was reduced. It was revealed that the excellent properties were achieved in the production of stainless steel welded tubes by applying of laser to longitudinal seam welding.