Effect of Laser Welding Variables on the Formability of 3wt% Si-Added Steel Welds

The aim of present study is to investigate the effect of welding variables and heat treatment conditions on the formability of the laser welded silicon steel sheet. It was found that there is an optimum range of heat input and gap distance for improvement of tensile strength and the avoidance of fracture in weld metal. Also, good formability was obtained by proper adoption of the pre- and post-weld heat treatment conditions.