materials

Article
Effect of Welding Speed and Post Quenching on the
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of
Laser-Welded B1500HS Joints
Muyu Li 1,2 , Dan Yao 1,2 , Yingping Guan 2, *, Yongchuan Duan 1,2 and Liu Yang 1,2
1 Key Laboratory of Advanced Forging & Stamping Technology and Science, Yanshan University,
Ministry of Education of China, Qinhuangdao 066000, China; Limuyu@stumail.ysu.edu.cn (M.L.);
yaodanysu@163.com (D.Y.); yongchuan.duan@ysu.edu.cn (Y.D.); yangliu@ysu.edu.cn (L.Y.)
2 School of Mechanical Engineering, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066000, China
* Correspondence: gyp@ysu.edu.cn; Tel.: +86-335-805-7070




Received: 11 September 2020; Accepted: 9 October 2020; Published: 18 October 2020


Abstract: In this research, B1500HS high-strength steel with different thicknesses were laser welded,
and the effects of welding speed and post quenching were investigated by analyzing the microstructure,
microhardness distribution, and high-temperature tensile properties of weld joints. The results show
that an obvious difference can be found in the metallographic structure and grain morphology of the
weld joint at different locations, which also lead to the significant uneven distribution of hardness.
After quenching, the grain size of the original heat-affected zone was uniform, the columnar grains
in the fusion zone were transformed into fine equiaxed grains, and no obvious hardness difference
can be found in the weld joint. For the weld joint without quenching, the increase of welding speed
can reduce the dimensions of grains of fusion zone and coarse grain zone, and slightly increase the
hardness of these regions. In contrast, welding speed change has little influence on the microstructure
and hardness of the weld joint after quenching. The high-temperature flow stress–strain curves
of fusion zone welded under different welding speeds were calculated based on the mixture rule.
The analysis results indicated that the fusion zone has higher strength but lower elongation than the
base metal. In addition, the change of welding speed has a small impact on the high-temperature
tensile properties of the fusion zone.

Keywords: B1500HS high-strength steel; welding speed; microstructure; hardness; mechanical

properties

1. Introduction
As the energy crisis and environmental issues become increasingly prominent,
lightweight technology has been continuously developing in automobile manufacturing. The light
weight of vehicles can not only reduce fuel consumption and emissions, but also save on manufacturing
costs [1,2]. The hot stamping process and forming process of tailor welded blank (TWB) are effective
methods to realize the purpose and have been widely used in automobile parts production. In recent
years, high-strength steel such as B1500HS has been used in the hot stamping process. During the
forming process, the original microstructure of the sheet transforms into martensite, which can increase
the strength of the material, thus reduce the usage of metal used in the product. At present, the hot
stamping process of B1500HS has been used in the production of safety parts of automobile such
as B-pillar and roof frame structure [3–5]. Tailor welded blank is comprised of sheets with different
thickness or mechanical properties and joined by welding technology. The application of TWBs in the
automotive industry can reduce material consumption, decreasing production costs, and improving
local strength at the same time [6]. Through the combination of the forming process shown above,

Materials 2020, 13, 4645; doi:10.3390/ma13204645 www.mdpi.com/journal/materials

Materials 2020, 13, 4645 2 of 16

the application of B1500HS TWBs with unequal thickness in the hot stamping process can provide a
more effective solution for the light weight of the car body.
The suitable welding method is of great significance to assure the weld quality of TWBs and satisfy
production requirements. The commonly used welding methods include resistance spot welding,
laser welding, gas shielded welding, laser welding, etc. Compared with the welding methods shown
above, laser welding has many outstanding advantages, such as higher energy density, narrower weld,
less distortion after welding, and faster welding speed [7,8]. Based on the benefits shown above,
laser welding technology has been used in the production of TWBs.
High-strength steel laser welding technology has attracted scholars’ attention in recent years,
and some achievements have been obtained. Windmann et al. [9] reported that the aluminum alloys in
the coating melt into the fusion zone (FZ) of 22MnB5 TWB and form the brittle phase, which leads to
the apparent decrease of mechanical properties of the weld joint. The research of Rossini et al. [10]
found that the weld joint has low mechanical properties when the twinning induced plasticity steel is
welded with other kinds of high-strength steel, which is due to the occurrence of intergranular fracture
in the weld seam caused by the presence of Mn segregation. Some scholars [11,12] have explored the
effect of laser welding on the microstructure and mechanical properties of quenching and partitioning
steel and dual-phase steel, the softening zone inevitably appears in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) of
both materials, which is attributed to the formation of tempered martensite and the softening zone is
detrimental to the mechanical properties of the weld joint.
The change of welding process parameters can affect the performance of the weld joint, and hence
the formability of TWB. Therefore, it is important to select appropriate welding parameters. For the
laser welding process, the parameters that affect the quality of the weld joint include laser power,
defocusing distance, flow rate of shielding gas and welding speed, etc. [13]. Gao et al. [14] studied the
effect of welding speed on the microstructure of weld joint of dual-phase steel, and concluded that
the increase of welding speed could reduce the size of austenite in FZ and obtain finer martensite.
Sun et al. [15] explored the influence of heating input on the softening zone of laser-welded DP780,
and the results show that the decomposition of martensite and precipitation of carbides is significant
gradually with heat input increased, which result in the decrease of hardness in the softening zone.
In order to reduce the softening effect caused by retained austenite and tempered martensite in HAZ,
Alvea et al. [16] obtained the combination of process parameters with the minimum softening effect by
adjusting the laser power and welding speed, thus improving the formability of TWB.
At present, many scholars have studied the laser welding of various kinds of high-strength steel
from multiple perspectives. However, most of this research focuses on cold forming high-strength steel,
such as dual-phase steel and twinning induced plasticity steel, with less concerns on high-strength
steel used for hot forming. In addition, according to the characteristics of the hot stamping process,
the workpieces should be fully austenitized at high temperature and quenched in die during the
forming process. Existing research shows that the heat treatment process can affect the properties of
laser-welded joints. Tang et al. [17] analyzed the microstructure of the B1500HS laser -welded joint
before and after quenching and found that the columnar grains in the weld pool transformed into
equiaxed grains with finer dimension after quenching. Luo et al. [18] investigated the effect of laser
heat treatment on the property of laser-welded joints. The martensite in the weld pool and HAZ
transformed into tempered martensite during the heat treatment, which makes the hardness of weld
joints uniform, consequently improving the bending performance of the joints.
In this study, B1500HS high-strength steels with different thickness were welded by laser
welding under various speeds. The effect of welding speed and post quenching on the microstructure,
the distribution of hardness, and the mechanical properties of weld joints were analyzed. The research
provides theoretical and practical guidance for the design of the laser welding procedure of B1500HS
high-strength steel.
Materials 2020, 13, 4645 3 of 16

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Materials
Materials 2020, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 3 of 17
The material used in the investigation is B1500HS cold-rolled high-strength steel, manufactured by
the BaowuTheiron material
and steel usedgroup
in the investigation is B1500HS
(Shanghai, China), andcold-rolled high-strength
the thicknesses of thesteel, manufactured
sheets are 1.2 mm and
by The
1.6 mm. the Baowu
chemical ironcompositions
and steel groupof (Shanghai,
B1500HS China),
are and
listed in the thicknesses
Table 1, and of original
the the sheetsmicrostructure
are 1.2 mm of
Materials 2020, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 3 of 17
and 1.6 mm. The chemical compositions of B1500HS are
the base metal (BM) consists of ferrite and pearlite, as shown in Figure 1. listed in Table 1, and the original
microstructure of the
The material base
used inmetal (BM) consists
the investigation of ferritecold-rolled
is B1500HS and pearlite, as shown in
high-strength Figure
steel, 1.
manufactured
by the Baowu iron and steel group (Shanghai, China), and the thicknesses of the sheets are 1.2 mm
Table 1. Chemical composition of B1500HS steel (wt %).
Table 1. Chemical composition of B1500HS steel (wt %).
and 1.6 mm. The chemical compositions of B1500HS are listed in Table 1, and the original
Cmicrostructure Mnof theCr
Mn base Cr metalNi
Ni (BM)Mo consists Bof ferrite
Aland pearlite, as
CushownV inV FigureS 1.
Si Ti Cu S P
C Si Mo B Al Ti P
0.230.23 0.25
0.25 1.351.350.190.190.028
0.028 0.04
0.04 0.003
0.003 0.04 0.04 0.03
0.03 0.016
0.016 0.004
0.004 0.006
0.0060.015
0.015
Table 1. Chemical composition of B1500HS steel (wt %).

C Si Mn Cr Ni Mo B Al Ti Cu V S P
0.23 0.25 1.35 0.19 0.028 0.04 0.003 0.04 0.03 0.016 0.004 0.006 0.015

Figure
Figure 1. 1. Microstructure of
Microstructure of B1500HS
B1500HS high-strength
high-strengthsteel.
steel.

2.2. Laser Welding

2.2. Laser Welding
Figure 1. Microstructure of B1500HS high-strength steel.
The The sheets
sheets with different
with differentthickness
thickness were were
processed into blanks
processed withblanks
into dimensions withof 200 mm × 80
dimensions of
200 mmmm.2.2. Laser
× Before
80 mm.Welding
assembling, the blanks were
Before assembling, polished
the blanks with
were sandpaper
polished withto sandpaper
remove the corroded
to remove and
theoxide
corroded
surface
and oxide andsheets
The
surface then cleaned
andwiththen by acetone
different
cleaned thicknessand anhydrous
were
by acetone processed ethanol toethanol
into blanks
and anhydrous eliminate to the
with dimensions contaminant
eliminate of 200
themm on the
× 80
contaminant
surface.
mm. The
Before laser welding
assembling, experiments
the blanks were of B1500HS
polished TWBs
with were
sandpaper performed
on the surface. The laser welding experiments of B1500HS TWBs were performed by the YLS4000 to remove by the
the YLS4000
corroded fiber
and laser
oxide
system (IPG
surface andPhotonics
then cleanedCorporation,
by acetone Oxford, MA, USA).
and anhydrous During
ethanol to the welding
eliminate theprocess, shielding
contaminant on thegas
fiber laser system (IPG Photonics Corporation, Oxford, MA, USA). During the welding process,
hassurface.
been used to stabilize
The laser welding the welding process
experiments and protect
of B1500HS TWBs werethe welded
performed seamby against oxidization.
the YLS4000 The
fiber laser
shielding gas has been
system (IPG
usedCorporation,
Photonics
to stabilize the welding process and protect process,
the welded seam against
schematic illustration of the welding Oxford,
process MA, USA).inDuring
is shown Figurethe welding
2. The rolling directionshielding
of thegas
BM
oxidization.
was The schematic
hasperpendicular
been used to stabilize illustration
the welding
to the welding of the welding
processand
direction, process
and the
protect is shown
the welded
blanks in Figure
seam against
with different 2. The rolling
oxidization.
thicknesses wereThe direction
held
schematic
of thestationary
BM illustration
was perpendicular
with no gap in of the
the welding
to the welding
fixture. process
The is shown
direction,
direction in Figure
and 2. The
the blanks
of shielding gas flow rolling
with direction
wasdifferent
set of the
45° tothicknesses
the BM were
welding
was perpendicular
direction,
held stationary and
with thenolasertobeam
gap the
in thewelding
was direction,
perpendicular
fixture. and the of
to the
The direction blanks
blanks. with different
The laser
shielding flowthicknesses
gas welding set 45were
wasparameters ◦ heldwelding
to used
the in
thestationary
direction, and thewith
experiment arenolisted
laser gap in
beam the
inwas fixture.
Table 2. The direction
perpendicular of shielding
to the blanks. Thegas flow
laserwas set 45° to
welding the weldingused in
parameters
direction, and the laser beam was perpendicular to the blanks. The laser welding parameters used in
the experiment are listed in Table 2.
the experiment are listed in Table 2.

Figure 2. Schematic illustration of the welding process.

Figure 2. Schematic illustration of the welding process.
Figure 2. Schematic illustration of the welding process.
Materials 2020, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 4 of 17
Materials 2020, 13, 4645 4 of 16

Table 2. Laser welding parameters used in the experiment.

Table Laser welding parameters used in the
Laser2.power 2.5experiment.
kW
Flow rate Laser
of shielding
power gas 15kW
2.5 L/min
Welding speed
Flow rate of shielding gas 18, 22, 26, 30, 34, 40, 50 mm/s
15 L/min
Defocusing
Weldingdistance
speed 0 mm
18, 22, 26, 30, 34, 40, 50 mm/s
Spot sizedistance
Defocusing 00.4
mmmm
Spot size 0.4 mm

2.3. Microstructure
2.3. Microstructure
Metallographic specimens were cut from the cross-section of weld joints. In order to explore the
Metallographic
effects of welding specimens
speed on the weremicrostructure
cut from the cross-section of weld
of weld joints joints.
before andInafter
orderquenching,
to explore the
the
effects of welding speed on the microstructure of weld joints before and after
specimens were divided into two groups. The specimens in group one were heated to 900 quenching, the specimens
°C by a
were divided
heating intoand
furnace twowater
groups. The specimens
quenched in group
after soaked for one were
5 min, heated
while theto 900 ◦ C byin
specimens a heating
the otherfurnace
group
and water quenched after soaked for 5 min, while the specimens in the other
were used as a control group without heat treatment. All specimens were mounted, grounded, group were used as a
control group
polished, andwithout heat
etched by treatment.
saturated Allacid
picric specimens were
in a 75 °C mounted,
water bath andgrounded,
4% nital polished,
solution toand etched
obtain the
by saturated picric acid in a 75 ◦ C water bath and 4% nital solution to obtain the grain morphology and
grain morphology and metallographic structure of weld joints. The grain morphology reflects the
metallographic
shape and size of structure of weld
grains, while thejoints. The grain structure
metallographic morphology reflects
reflects the shape and
the morphology andsize of grains,
composition
while the metallography.
of metal metallographic Thestructure
etched reflects the morphology
specimens were observed andbycomposition of metal metallography.
an optical microscope.
The etched specimens were observed by an optical microscope.
2.4. Mechanical Properties Tests
2.4. Mechanical Properties Tests
High-temperature tensile tests were conducted to explore the effects of welding speed on the
High-temperature tensile tests were conducted to explore the effects of welding speed on the
tensile properties of weld joints. The tests were carried out with a electronic universal tester and
tensile properties of weld joints. The tests were carried out with a electronic universal tester and
electric heating furnace (Chanxin testing machine manufacturing limited company, Jinan, China).
electric heating furnace (Chanxin testing machine manufacturing limited company, Jinan, China).
The specimens were heated to 900 °C and held for 5 min to ensure austenitized completely.
The specimens were heated to 900 ◦ C and held for 5 min to ensure austenitized completely. Afterward,
Afterward, the tensile tests were carried out with a strain rate of 0.05 s−1. The samples were cut from
the tensile tests were carried out with a strain rate of 0.05 s−1 . The samples were cut from TWBs in the
TWBs in the direction parallel to the weld line. Figure 3 shows the geometry and dimensions of the
direction parallel to the weld line. Figure 3 shows the geometry and dimensions of the tensile samples.
tensile samples. The tests were repeated three times to verify the accuracy of the measurement data.
The tests were repeated three times to verify the accuracy of the measurement data. For comparison,
For comparison, the tensile properties of the BM perpendicular to the rolling direction were also
the tensile properties of the BM perpendicular to the rolling direction were also measured under the
measured under the same deformation conditions.
same deformation conditions.

Figure 3. Geometry and dimensions of tensile samples.

Figure 3. Geometry and dimensions of tensile samples.
According to GB/T4340.1-2009, the Vickers hardness tests were performed on the cross-section of
etchedAccording tousing
weld joints GB/T4340.1-2009,
an FM-ARS9000 the microhardness
Vickers hardness tests
tester were performedTokyo,
(FUTURE-TECH, on theJapan),
cross-section
with a
of etched
load of 200weld
g andjoints using antime
the holding FM-ARS9000 microhardness
is 15 s. The hardness of thetester
weld(FUTURE-TECH, Tokyo,
joint was measured Japan),
along the
with a load of 200 g and the holding time is 15 s. The hardness of the weld joint was measured
rolling direction, and the space between measuring points was 0.1 mm. A hardness map of the entire along
the rolling
weld direction,
joint was obtainedand the space
based on thebetween
measured measuring
data. points was 0.1 mm. A hardness map of the
entire weld joint was obtained based on the measured data.
3. Results and Discussion
3. Results and Discussion
3.1. Joint Appearance and Dimension
3.1. Joint Appearance
The change and Dimension
of welding speed has a significant impact on the welding quality. Defects such as
burn through and incomplete penetration can be found when the selection of welding speed is not
Materials 13, 4645
2020, 2020,
Materials 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 5 of 175 of 16

The change of welding speed has a significant impact on the welding quality. Defects such as
burn through
appropriate. and incomplete
By observing the TWBspenetration
welded can be found
under whenwelding
different the selection of welding
speeds, speed with
weld joints is notgood
appropriate.
quality By observing
can be achieved whenthe theTWBs welded
welding under
speed different welding
is between 18 and 50 speeds,
mm/s.weld joints with good
qualityetched
After can be byachieved whenpicric
saturated the welding speed
acid, the is between
shape 18 and
of FZ can 50 mm/s. by an optical microscope
be observed
(Carl ZeissAfter
AG, etched by saturated
Analytik Jena, picric acid, the
Germany). shape4a,b
Figure of FZshow
can bethe
observed by an optical
metallographs of microscope
FZ welded by
(Carlwelding
different Zeiss AG,speeds.
Analytik It Jena,
can beGermany).
concluded Figure
that4a,b
theshow the metallographs
FZ transits smoothlyoffromFZ welded
the thick by side
different welding speeds. It can be concluded that the FZ transits smoothly from the thick side to the
to the thin side, and no welding defects such as gas hole, inclusion, and crack can be observed.
thin side, and no welding defects such as gas hole, inclusion, and crack can be observed. In addition,
In addition, the2020,
Materials inclination angle of the upper surface of FZ decreases with the reduction
13, x FOR PEER ofof
17 welding
the inclination angle of the REVIEW
upper surface of FZ decreases with the reduction of welding 5speed. A
speed. A previous study indicated that appropriate reduction of welding speed is beneficial to the
previous study indicated that appropriate reduction of welding speed is beneficial to the smooth
The change of welding speed has a significant impact on the welding quality. Defects such as
smooth transition
transition of sheet
of sheet metal metal
on both onsides
bothofsides
the of the
weld weld
line, line,
which can which
improve can improve the formability
burn through and incomplete penetration can be found when the selection of the formability
welding speed is of
notTWB
[19]. appropriate. By observing the TWBs welded under different welding speeds, weld joints with good
of TWB [19].
quality can be achieved when the welding speed is between 18 and 50 mm/s.
After etched by saturated picric acid, the shape of FZ can be observed by an optical microscope
(Carl Zeiss AG, Analytik Jena, Germany). Figure 4a,b show the metallographs of FZ welded by
different welding speeds. It can be concluded that the FZ transits smoothly from the thick side to the
thin side, and no welding defects such as gas hole, inclusion, and crack can be observed. In addition,
the inclination angle of the upper surface of FZ decreases with the reduction of welding speed. A
previous study indicated that appropriate reduction of welding speed is beneficial to the smooth
transition of sheet metal on both sides of the weld line, which can improve the formability of TWB
[19].

Figure
Figure 4. Metallographs
4. Metallographs of cross-section
of the the cross-section of the
of the weld
weld joint
joint under
under different
different weldingspeeds
welding speeds(a)
(a)2222mm/s;
mm/s;
(b) 40 mm/s.(b) 40 mm/s.

By observing
By observing thethe metallographsofofweld
metallographs weldjoints,
joints, it
it can
canbe befound
foundthat thethe
that FZ FZ
presents an hourglass
presents an hourglass
shape. Image processing software Image-Pro Plus (6.0) has been
shape. Image processing software Image-Pro Plus (6.0) has been used to measure the width used to measure the width of FZofatFZ at
the top, necking, and bottom position. Figure 5 shows the relationship between the width of FZ and
the top, necking, and bottom position. Figure 5 shows the relationship between the width of FZ and
the welding speed. It can be concluded that the width of FZ in these three positions decreases with
the welding speed. It can be concluded that the width of FZ in these three positions decreases with the
the rise of the welding speed, and the reduction is more obvious in the necking position. Behzad et
rise ofal.the Figure 4.
welding Metallographs
speed, and theof the cross-section
reduction of the weld
is more obviousjoint under different
in the neckingwelding speeds (a)
position. 22
Behzad et al. [20]
[20] summarized previous research, which investigated the influence of welding speed on the
mm/s; (b) 40 mm/s.
summarized
geometryprevious
of the FZ.research, which
The research investigated
results obtained by themanyinfluence
scholarsofhave
welding speedthat
confirmed on the
the increase
geometry of
of welding
the FZ. The By speed
research canthe
observing reduce
results the widthofof
obtained
metallographs by manythejoints,
weld FZ, which
scholars is consistent
have
it can be confirmedwith
found that the FZthe
that measurement
the
presents increase results
of welding
an hourglass
speedincan shape.
thisreduceImage
paper. This processing
phenomenon
the width software
of the can Image-Pro
FZ, be attributed
which Plus (6.0) has
to the change
is consistent been used
with of heat
the to measure the width
input due to results
measurement of FZ
in at
the variationsthisofpaper.
the top,
welding speed.can
This phenomenon necking,
Thebeand bottom
approximate position.
attributed value Figure
to theofchange 5 shows
heat input the
can be
of heat relationship
calculated
input between
due toby the
theformula width of FZ
1. of welding
variations and speed.
the welding speed. It can be concluded that the width of FZ in these three positions decreases with
The approximate value of heat input can be calculated by Formula (1).
the rise of the welding speed, and the reduction is more obvious in the necking position. Behzad et
al. [20] summarized previous research, which investigated the influence of welding speed on the
q = ηIU/v
geometry of the FZ. The research results obtained by many scholars have confirmed that the increase
(1)
of welding speed can reduce the width of the FZ, which is consistent with the measurement results
where q isinthe
thisvalue
paper.of heat
This input, η is
phenomenon heat
can efficiency,
be attributed I and
to the U isofcurrent
change and
heat input voltage
due respectively,
to the variations of and v
welding
is welding speed. speed. The approximate value of heat input can be calculated by formula 1.

Figure 5. Relationship between the width of FZ and welding speed.

FigureFigure 5. Relationship
5. Relationship between the
between the width
widthofof
FZFZ
andand
welding speed.speed.
welding
Materials 2020, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 6 of 17

q = η IU / v (1)

Materials q is
where 2020, 13,the
4645 value of heat input, η is heat efficiency, I and U is current and voltage
6 of 16

respectively, and v is welding speed.

It can be found that the heat input is inversely proportional to the welding speed. The value of
It can be found that the heat input is inversely proportional to the welding speed. The value of
heat input decrease with the rise of welding speed, which reduces the volume of molten metal and
heat input decrease with the rise of welding speed, which reduces the volume of molten metal and
finally leads to the reduction of weld width.
finally leads to the reduction of weld width.

3.2. Microstructure
3.2. Microstructure

3.2.1. Microstructure
3.2.1. of Weld
Microstructure of Weld Joint
Joint before
before Quenching
Quenching
Figure 6a,b
Figure 6a,b shows
shows thethe distribution
distribution of
of metallographic
metallographic structure
structure and
and grain
grain morphology
morphology of of the
the
B1500HS welded joint from the weld center to the BM. Significant evolution in microstructure
B1500HS welded joint from the weld center to the BM. Significant evolution in microstructure can becan be
observed across
observed across the
the weld
weld joint.
joint.

Figure 6. Distribution
Figure 6. Distribution of
of (a)
(a) metallographic
metallographic structure and (b)
structure and (b) grain
grain morphology
morphology of
of weld
weld joint.
joint.

The laser-welded
The laser-welded weld
weld joint
joint of
of B1500HS
B1500HS can can be be divided
divided into
into three
three zones: zones: FZ,
FZ, HAZ,
HAZ, and and BM.
BM.
During the welding process, the metal in FZ was heated to a molten state and rapidly cooled to
During the welding process, the metal in FZ was heated to a molten state and rapidly cooled to
solidification. In
solidification. In previous
previous research,
research, the
the microstructure
microstructure composition
composition ofof FZFZ can can be
be inferred
inferred according
according
to
to the
the continuous
continuous cooling
cooling transformation
transformation diagram
diagram and and cooling time tT/T
cooling time tT / T00 .. The
The value of tT/T
value of tT / T00 means
means
the time required for the FZ cooling from high temperature T to low temperature T0 after welding,
the time
which canrequired for the
be calculated FZ cooling
by Equation from high temperature T to low temperature T0 after
(2) [21]:
welding, which can be calculated by Equation 2 [21]:
 q 2  
α 1 1
α4πλ2 qvh (T0 −1t)2 − (T −1t)2  

tT/T0 = 2 (2)
 
= t    −  (2)
4πλ 2  vh   (T0 − t )2 (T − t )2 
T /T 0

where α is the thermal diffusivity (heat conductivity/(density × specific heat)), λ is the thermal
where α is the
conductivity, q isthermal
the heatdiffusivity (heat
input, h is the conductivity/(density
thickness of the sheet,× specific λ is and
heat)),speed,
v is welding the thermal
t is the
conductivity, q is the heat input, h is the thickness of the sheet, v is welding speed, and t is the
preheating temperature before welding.
For B1500HS
preheating high-strength
temperature steel, non-martensite transformation occurs in the temperature range
before welding.
from For ◦ C to 400 ◦ C. Thus, the cooling time t
900 B1500HS 9/4 of FZtransformation
high-strength steel, non-martensite under different occurs
weldinginspeeds were calculated
the temperature range
in this paper. After referring to the present research [22], the thermophysical parameters of B1500HS
frombe900 °C to 400
t9/ 4 of FZ under different welding speeds were
can achieved. The°C. Thus,
value the cooling
of heat input can timebe calculated by Formula (1), and the heat efficiency
ηcalculated
is definedinasthis
0.5paper. After
[23]. The referring
cooling timetot9/4
thecan
present research [22],
be calculated the thermophysical
by substituting the above parameters
data into
of B1500HS can be achieved. The value of heat input can be calculated by formula
Formula (2). When the welding speed increases from 18 mm/s to 50 mm/s, the values of t9/4 decrease 1, and the heat
from 7.13 s η to 0.92 s. It indicated that the increase of welding t speed can increase the cooling rate of FZ,
efficiency is defined as 0.5 [23]. The cooling time 9/ 4 can be calculated by substituting the above
which is significantly higher than the critical cooling rate of B1500HS [24]. Therefore, the microstructure
data into formula
composition of FZ2. is
When the welding
basically composedspeed of increases
martensite from
and18amm/s to 50 mm/s,
few retained the values
austenite
t9/ 4
dueofto the
decrease from
incomplete 7.13 s to 0.92of
transformation s. martensite,
It indicated asthat the increase
shown in Figure of 7a.
welding speed can increase the cooling
During the welding process, the molten metal cools rapidly through the direction perpendicular
to the fusion line. According to the competitive growth mechanism, the grains in FZ tend to grow
along the cooling direction. Figure 7b shows the grain morphology of FZ, and columnar grains can be
experienced in the welding process is between the melting point, and the superheat temperature,
which leads to the austenite grains of CGZ growing seriously, especially near the fusion line.
Compared with the CGZ, the metal of FGZ was heated to a lower temperature, ranging from
superheat temperature to Ac 3 , which decreases the growth tendency of grains in this region. The
Materials 2020, 13, 4645 7 of 16
grain morphology of CGZ and FGZ is shown in Figure 7d,f, respectively. It can be observed that the
grain size of FGZ is much smaller than that of CGZ. Fine austenite grains can limit the dimension of
martensite.
observed. InByaddition,
comparing
the the metallographic
rapid structure
cooling rate leads shown in
to the uneven Figure 7c,e,
distribution of finer martensite
chemical can be
compositions
found in FGZ.
in this region, which leads to the occurrence of segregation.

Materials 2020, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 8 of 17

Figure
Figure7.7. Metallographic structureofof(a)
Metallographic structure (a)FZ;
FZ;(c)(c) CGZ;
CGZ; (e)(e) FGZ;
FGZ; (g) (g)
IRZ,IRZ
andand grain
grain morphology
morphology of (b)ofFZ;
(b)
FZ; (d) CGZ; (f) FGZ; (h) IRZ of weld joint welded under 30 mm/s.
(d) CGZ; (f) FGZ; (h) IRZ of weld joint welded under 30 mm/s.

For the IRZ, the peak temperature here ranged from Ac 3 to Ac1 , and only part of the original
microstructure transformed into austenite during the welding process, and transformed into
martensite in the following quenching process. As a consequence, the microstructure composition of
Materials 2020, 13, 4645 8 of 16

Materials
In the 13, x FOR
2020,HAZ, thePEER REVIEW
thermal 8 of
cycle changes with the distance to the heat source, which affects the17
transformation of the microstructure of the HAZ. According to the distinct in the grain morphology
and composition of microstructure, the HAZ can be divided into coarse grain zone (CGZ), fine grain
zone (FGZ), and incomplete recrystallization zone (IRZ).
Since the heating temperature of CGZ and FGZ was above Ac3 , the metals of the two regions were
fully austenitized in the welding process and transformed into martensite in the subsequent rapid
cooling process. The CGZ is adjacent to the FZ, the peak temperature of the thermal cycle experienced
in the welding process is between the melting point, and the superheat temperature, which leads to
the austenite grains of CGZ growing seriously, especially near the fusion line. Compared with the
CGZ, the metal of FGZ was heated to a lower temperature, ranging from superheat temperature to
Ac3 , which decreases the growth tendency of grains in this region. The grain morphology of CGZ
and FGZ is shown in Figure 7d,f, respectively. It can be observed that the grain size of FGZ is much
smaller than that of CGZ. Fine austenite grains can limit the dimension of martensite. By comparing
the metallographic structure shown in Figure 7c,e, finer martensite can be found in FGZ.
For the IRZ, the peak temperature here ranged from Ac3 to Ac1 , and only part of the original
microstructure transformed into austenite during the welding process, and transformed into martensite
in the following quenching process. As a consequence, the microstructure composition of IRZ is a
combination of ferrite and martensite, as shown in Figure 7g.

3.2.2. Microstructure of Weld Joint after Quenching

Figure 8a shows the distribution of grain morphology of the B1500HS weld joint after quenching.
It can be observed from the figure that the grain morphology of FZ is obviously different from that of
other positions in the weld joint. By comparing the grain structure of original HAZ and BM shown
in Figure 8d,f, it can be concluded that these regions are composed of uniform equiaxed grains with
Figure
similar grain7. size.
Metallographic structure ofis(a)
This phenomenon theFZ; (c) CGZ; (e) effect
combination FGZ; (g)of IRZ and grain morphology
recrystallization and grain of growth
(b)
FZ; (d) CGZ; (f) FGZ; (h) IRZ of weld joint welded under 30 mm/s.
during the heating process. In contrast, the heat treatment has more obvious grain refinement effect
on FZ, as shown in Figure 8b. The original columnar grains were transformed into equiaxed grains,
whichForarethe IRZ,
finer thethose
than peakoftemperature
original HAZ here
andranged
BM. Infrom Ac 3 ittocanAcalso
addition, 1 , and only part
be found thatofthe
the original
grain size
microstructure
of FZ is not uniformtransformed
and manyinto austenite
irregular grainsduring
can be the welding process, and transformed into
observed.
martensite
Figurein the following
8c,e,g shows the quenching process.structure
metallographic As a consequence,
of quenched theweld
microstructure composition
joint in different of
regions.
IRZ is a combination
Through the comparison of ferrite and martensite,
and analysis, it can beasfound
shown in Figure
that the FZ 7g. has smaller martensite compared
with other regions, which is due to the limitation of grain size on the growth of martensite. For the
3.2.2. reason,
same Microstructure of WeldofJoint
the dimension after Quenching
martensite in the BM is similar to that in the original HAZ.
Figure 8a shows the distribution of grain morphology of the B1500HS weld joint after quenching.
3.2.3. Effect of Welding Speed on the Microstructure of Weld Joint
It can be observed from the figure that the grain morphology of FZ is obviously different from that
of other positions
Figure in the weld
9a–d shows joint.morphology
the grain By comparing the and
of FZ grainCGZ
structure
beforeofquenching
original HAZ andthe
under BM shown
welding
in Figure
speeds of 8d,f, it canand
22 mm/s be 40
concluded
mm/s. For that these
these regions
two are the
regions, composed
increaseofofuniform
weldingequiaxed
speed can grains with
decrease
similar
the grain size.
dimension This phenomenon
of grains. According to is the combination
Formula (2), the riseeffect of recrystallization
of welding and grain
speed can reduce growth
cooling time,
duringreduces
which the heating process. In
the residence contrast,
time of metal theatheat
hightreatment has more
temperature. obviousthe
In addition, grain
peakrefinement
temperatureeffect
of
on FZ, as
thermal shown
cycle inand
in FZ Figure
CGZ 8b. The
was original
higher thancolumnar
superheatgrains were transformed
temperature, into the
which induced equiaxed grains,
rapid growth
which
of areinfiner
grains thesethan thoseTherefore,
regions. of original HAZ
finer andsize
grain BM. Inbe
can addition,
observed it in
canFZalso
andbe found
CGZ withthat
thethe grain
increase
size
of of FZ isspeed,
welding not uniform
which is and many
also irregular
beneficial grains canfiner
for obtaining be observed.
martensite.

Figure 8. Cont.
Materials 2020, 13, 4645 9 of 16
Materials 2020, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 9 of 17

Figure 8. Grain morphology of quenched weld joint (a) cross-section; (b) FZ; (d) original HAZ; (f) BM
Figure 8. Grain morphology of quenched weld joint (a) cross-section; (b) FZ; (d) original HAZ; (f) BM,
and the metallographic structure of (c); FZ (e); original HAZ; (g) BM.
and the metallographic structure of (c) FZ; (e) original HAZ; (g) BM.

Figure 8c,e,g
Because of the shows theofmetallographic
grain size the FGZ and IRZ structure of quenched
is very small weldtendency
and growth joint in isdifferent
weak due regions.
to the
Through the comparison and analysis, it can be found that the FZ has smaller martensite
peak temperature lower than the superheat temperature, the limited decrease of cooling time caused compared
with
by theother regions,
increase which isspeed
in welding due to
is the
not limitation
enough toofproduce
grain size
an on the growth
obvious of martensite.
refining effect on theFor the
grain
same reason,of
morphology the
FGZdimension
and IRZ.ofBecause
martensite
the in the BM is similar
microstructure of IRZto changes
that in the original HAZ.
significantly in the narrow
region, the effect of welding speed on the microstructure composition of IRZ cannot be analyzed
3.2.3. Effect of Welding Speed on the Microstructure of Weld Joint
objectively by comparing the metallographic diagrams of IRZ under different welding speeds. However,
Figure
the rise 9a–d shows
of welding speedthe
cangrain morphology
increase the coolingofrate,
FZ andthusCGZ before
reducing thequenching
formationunder the welding
of non-martensite
speeds of However,
structure. 22 mm/s and the 40 mm/s. For
enhanced these effect
cooling two regions,
was notthe increaseinofIRZ.
obvious welding
Hence,speed
the can decrease
influence of
the dimension
welding speed onof grains. According to
the microstructure formula 2, of
composition theIRZ
riseisofnot
welding speed
obvious. Basedcanonreduce coolingabove,
the analysis time,
which
the reduces
change the residence
of welding timeno
speed has ofapparent
metal at high temperature.
influence In addition, the
on the microstructure peak and
of FGZ temperature
IRZ. of
thermal
The cycle in results
analysis FZ andshown
CGZ was higher3.2.2
in Section than superheat
indicate temperature,
that the which induced
grain morphology of HAZthe rapid
becomes
growth of
uniform grainsthe
during in these regions.
heating Therefore,
process. finer grain
Figure 10a–d shows size
thecan be observed
grain morphologyin FZofand
FZCGZ with the
and original
increase
HAZ afterofquenching,
welding speed,
whichwhich is also beneficial
were welded for obtaining
under different weldingfiner martensite.
speeds. It can be concluded that the
Because
welding speedofhastheno
grain size of effect
noticeable the FGZ andgrain
on the IRZ ismorphology
very small and growth tendency
of quenched weld joints.is weak duethe
During to
the peak temperature lower than the superheat temperature, the limited decrease of cooling time
caused by the increase in welding speed is not enough to produce an obvious refining effect on the
 grain morphology of FGZ and IRZ. Because the microstructure of IRZ changes significantly in the
narrow region, the effect of welding speed on the microstructure composition of IRZ cannot be
analyzed objectively by comparing the metallographic diagrams of IRZ under different welding
speeds.
Materials However,
2020, 13, 4645 the rise of welding speed can increase the cooling rate, thus reducing the formation
10 of 16
of non-martensite structure. However, the enhanced cooling effect was not obvious in IRZ. Hence,
the influence of welding speed on the microstructure composition of IRZ is not obvious. Based on the
heating
analysis process,
above, the
the occurrence of recrystallization
change of welding speed has noand grain influence
apparent growth eliminate the differenceofofFGZ
on the microstructure grain
morphology
and IRZ. caused by the change of welding speed before heat treatment.

Materials 2020, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 11 of 18

Figure 9. Grain morphology of FZ (a) welding speed 22 mm/s; (b) welding speed 40 mm/s and grain
morphology of CGZ (c) welding speed 22 mm/s; (d) welding speed 40 mm/s.

The analysis results shown in Section 3.2.2 indicate that the grain morphology of HAZ becomes
uniform during the heating process. Figure 10a–d shows the grain morphology of FZ and original
HAZ after quenching, which were welded under different welding speeds. It can be concluded that
the welding speed has no noticeable effect on the grain morphology of quenched weld joints. During
Figure9.9.Grain
theFigure
heating Grainmorphology
process,morphology of FZ
the occurrence
of FZ (a)
(a) welding speed
of welding speed 2222 mm/s;
recrystallization (b)
(b)welding
and grain
mm/s; growthspeed
welding 4040mm/s
eliminate
speed theand
mm/s, CGZ;
difference
and grain of
grain(c) welding
morphology speed 22
causedmm/s;
by (d)
the welding
change speed
of 40
weldingmm/s.
speed before
morphology of CGZ (c) welding speed 22 mm/s; (d) welding speed 40 mm/s. heat treatment.

The analysis results shown in Section 3.2.2 indicate that the grain morphology of HAZ becomes
uniform during the heating process. Figure 10a–d shows the grain morphology of FZ and original
HAZ after quenching, which were welded under different welding speeds. It can be concluded that
the welding speed has no noticeable effect on the grain morphology of quenched weld joints. During
the heating process, the occurrence of recrystallization and grain growth eliminate the difference of
grain morphology caused by the change of welding speed before heat treatment.

Figure 10.10.Grain
Figure Grainmorphology
morphologyofofFZ
FZ(a)
(a)welding
welding speed
speed 22 mm/s; (b)
22 mm/s; (b) welding
weldingspeed
speed40
40mm/s
mm/s,andand grain
grain
morphology
morphology ofoforiginal
originalHAZ
HAZ(c)
(c)welding
weldingspeed
speed 22
22 mm/s; (d) welding
mm/s; (d) weldingspeed
speed40
40mm/s
mm/safter
afterquenching.
quenching.

3.3. Microhardness
Hardness can be used to evaluate the anti-deformation ability of metal. Figure 11a shows the
hardness distribution of the laser-welded B1500HS joint from the center of FZ to the BM. In this
research, the distribution of hardness was analyzed by combining the grain morphology of the
     
Figure 10. Grain morphology of FZ (a) welding speed 22 mm/s; (b) welding speed 40 mm/s and CGZ; 
(c) welding speed 22 mm/s; (d) welding speed 40 mm/s after quenching. 

3.3. Microhardness 
Materials 2020, 13, 4645 11 of 16

Hardness can be used to evaluate the anti‐deformation ability of metal. Figure 11a shows the 
hardness  distribution  of  the  laser‐welded  B1500HS  joint  from  the  center  of  FZ  to  the  BM.  In  this 
3.3. Microhardness
research,  the  distribution  of  hardness  was  analyzed  by  combining  the  grain  morphology  of  the 
Hardness can be used to evaluate the anti-deformation ability of metal. Figure 11a shows the
corresponding position. It can be found that the hardness of FZ, CGZ, and FGZ is significantly higher 
than  that  distribution
hardness of the
of  BM.  After  the laser-welded B1500HS
welding  process,  the joint from the center
microstructure  of FZ to
of  these  the BM.
three  In this
regions  is research,
mainly 
the distribution of hardness was analyzed by combining the grain morphology of the corresponding
composed of martensite, which leads to the obvious increase of hardness. In addition, the value of 
position. It can be found that the hardness of FZ, CGZ, and FGZ is significantly higher than that of BM.
hardness slightly increases from FZ to FGZ, which is mainly caused by the difference of grain size 
After theregions. 
between  welding Fine 
process, thesize 
grain  microstructure of these
can  enhance  three of 
the  effect  regions is mainlystrengthening, 
fine‐grained  composed of martensite,
thus  the 
which leads to the obvious increase of hardness. In addition, the value of hardness slightly increases
hardness of FGZ is slightly higher than that of CGZ and FZ. A dramatic slump can be observed in 
from FZ to FGZ, which is mainly caused by the difference of grain size between
IRZ, which is caused by the existence of non‐martensite such as ferrite.    regions. Fine grain size
can Figure 11b shows the hardness map of the laser‐welded B1500HS joint. It can be concluded that 
enhance the effect of fine-grained strengthening, thus the hardness of FGZ is slightly higher than
that of CGZ and FZ. A dramatic slump can be observed in IRZ, which is caused by the existence of
only slight changes in hardness can be observed in the direction vertical to the sheet. Along the rolling 
non-martensite such as ferrite.
direction, the change rule of hardness is identical with the curve shown in Figure 11a. 

 
Figure 11. Hardness evolution (a) hardness distribution and grain morphology and (b) hardness map
Figure 11. Hardness evolution (a) hardness distribution and grain morphology and (b) hardness map 
of the cross-section of the weld joint.
of the cross‐section of the weld joint. 

Figure 11b shows the hardness map of the laser-welded B1500HS joint. It can be concluded that
only slight changes in hardness can be observed in the direction vertical to the sheet. Along the rolling
direction, the change rule of hardness is identical with the curve shown in Figure 11a.
Figure 12a shows the hardness distribution curves of weld joints under different welding speeds
before and after quenching. For the weld joints without heat treatment, the increasing of welding speed
can reduce the width of the area with high hardness, which is composed of FZ, CGZ, and FGZ.
In order to investigate the influence of welding speed on the hardness of the laser-welded B1500HS
joint in different regions, the average hardness values of each region were calculated and shown in
Figure 12b. The average hardness of FZ and CGZ slightly increased with the rise of welding speed,
but this trend is not obvious in FGZ. Compared with FGZ, the grain size of FZ and CGZ decrease
more obviously with the rise of welding speed, which slightly enhances the effect of fine-grained
strengthening, resulting in the small increment of hardness in these two regions. In addition, it can be
found that the average hardness values of IRZ fluctuate irregularly with the increase of welding speed.
The hardness values of IRZ change obviously in a small width, making it uncertain to calculate the
average hardness of IRZ.
 grained strengthening, resulting in the small increment of hardness in these two regions. In addition, 
it  can  be  found  that  the  average  hardness  values  of  IRZ  fluctuate  irregularly  with  the  increase  of 
welding speed. The hardness values of IRZ change obviously in a small width, making it uncertain 
to calculate the average hardness of IRZ.   
Materials 2020, 13, 4645 12 of 16
 

 
Figure 12. Effect of welding speed on the hardness of weld joint (a) hardness of weld joint before and
Figure 12. Effect of welding speed on the hardness of weld joint (a) hardness of weld joint before and 
after quenching; (b) relationship between the average hardness of different regions of welded joints
after quenching; (b) relationship between the average hardness of different regions of welded joints 
without quenching and welding speeds.
without quenching and welding speeds. 

Figure 12a also shows the hardness distribution of quenched weld joints, and no noticeable
Figure  12a  also  shows  the  hardness  distribution  of  quenched  weld  joints,  and  no  noticeable 
difference in the hardness can be observed at different positions of the weld joints. The microstructure
difference in the hardness can be observed at different positions of the weld joints. The microstructure 
of the whole quenched weld joint is composed of martensite and a small amount of retained
of the whole quenched weld joint is composed of martensite and a small amount of retained austenite, 
austenite, which is the primary reason for the similar hardness in different positions of the weld joint.
which  is  the  primary  reason  for  the  similar  hardness  in  different  positions  of  the  weld  joint. 
Compared with other regions, the quenched weld joint has finer grain size in FZ, but the difference in
Compared with other regions, the quenched weld joint has finer grain size in FZ, but the difference 
grain size is much smaller than that between the FGZ and FZ of weld joint without heat treatment.
in grain size is much smaller than that between the FGZ and FZ of weld joint without heat treatment. 
Thus, the difference of grain morphology between FZ and other places did not cause the obvious
difference in hardness.
By comparing the hardness distribution of quenched weld joints welded by different welding
speeds, it can be concluded that the welding speed has no pronounced effect on the hardness of weld
joints after quenching.

3.4. Tensile Properties at High Temperature

Figure 13 shows the photograph of the fractured tensile sample of laser-welded B1500HS.
By observing the fracture position of the specimen, it can be found that the fracture is V-shaped,
which indicates that the FZ cracked first during the tensile process.
During the heating process, the microstructure of the whole weld joint transformed into austenite.
According to the analysis results shown in Section 3.2.2, the grain morphology in different positions
of the weld joint is not the same. The original HAZ has uniform equiaxed grains similar to the BM,
 Materials 2020, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 13 of 17
3.4. Tensile Properties at High Temperature
By comparing
Figure the the
13 shows hardness distribution
photograph of the of quenched
fractured weld
tensile joints of
sample welded by different
laser-welded welding
B1500HS. By
observing
speeds, the
it can befracture position
concluded of the
that the specimen,
welding speedit has
can no
be pronounced
found that the fracture
effect is V-shaped,
on the which
hardness of weld
indicates
joints
Materials 2020,
that
after13, the FZ cracked first during the tensile process.
quenching.
4645 13 of 16

3.4. Tensile Properties at High Temperature

while the grain13size
Figure of FZ
shows thewas finer thanofthat
photograph the of BM, buttensile
fractured the dimension
sample ofand shape of grains
laser-welded wereBynot
B1500HS.
uniform.
observing the fracture position of the specimen, it can be found that the fracture is V-shaped, whichcan
In the case of the same microstructure composition, the difference of grain morphology
indicates
lead that the FZ
to the diversity ofcracked first during the tensile process.
tensile properties.

Figure 13. Fracture sample after tensile at high temperature.

During the heating process, the microstructure of the whole weld joint transformed into
austenite. According to the analysis results shown in Section 3.2.2, the grain morphology in different
positions of the weld joint is not the same. The original HAZ has uniform equiaxed grains similar to
the BM, while the grain size of FZ was finer than that of BM, but the dimension and shape of grains
were not uniform. In Figure 13.Fracture
the 13.
Figure case Fracture sample
of the sample after tensile
tensileat
same microstructure
after athigh temperature.
composition,
high the difference of grain
temperature.
morphology can lead to the diversity of tensile properties.
In During
In the
the the heating
previous
previous process,
research,
research, the microstructure
a amixed
mixed method has
method has beenof the
been usedwhole
used by weld joint
by scholars
scholars transformed
totocalculate thethe
calculate into
tensile
tensile
austenite.ofAccording
the weld to
jointthe analysis
[25–27]. In results
this shown
study, the in Section
flow 3.2.2,
stress-strainthe grain
curves morphology
properties of the weld joint [25–27]. In this study, the flow stress-strain curves of FZ at high
properties of FZ at high in different
temperatures
positions
were of the
temperatures
calculated by weld
were joint is not
thecalculated
mixture bythe
thesame.
method. TheThe
mixture originalThe
method.
mechanical HAZ hasofuniform
mechanical
model model
B1500HS equiaxed grains
of B1500HS
TWB under TWBsimilar
under
tensile to is
test
the BM,
tensile
shown while the grain
test is shown
in Figure size of
14a. in Figure 14a. FZ was finer than that of BM, but the dimension and shape of grains
were not uniform. In the case of the same microstructure composition, the difference of grain
morphology can lead to the diversity of tensile properties.
In the previous research, a mixed method has been used by scholars to calculate the tensile
properties of the weld joint [25–27]. In this study, the flow stress-strain curves of FZ at high
temperatures were calculated by the mixture method. The mechanical model of B1500HS TWB under
tensile test is shown in Figure 14a.

Figure 14. Schematic diagram of (a) the uniaxial tensile mechanical model of TWB sample and (b) the
Figure 14.of
cross-section Schematic diagram of (a) the uniaxial tensile mechanical model of TWB sample and (b) the
tensile sample.
cross-section of tensile sample.
According to the previous analysis of the microstructure of the welded joint at high temperature,
it is considered that the original HAZ has the same tensile properties with the BM. In contrast, the tensile
properties of FZ is different from that of other regions. In the mixture rule, the flow stress-strain
curves of FZ can be calculated from the force-displacement curves measured during the tensile test,
Figurethe
considering 14.force
Schematic diagram of
equilibrium and(a)equal
the uniaxial
straintensile mechanical
condition betweenmodel
theofFZ
TWB sample
and otherand (b) the
places. The flow
cross-section of tensile sample.
stress of FZ can be expressed as the following formula:

F−σ A
σFZ = BM BM
AFZ
ABM = A0BM × L0 /(L0 + ∆L) (3)
AFZ = A0FZ ×L0 /(L0 + ∆L)

where F denotes the tensile force measured during the test, A, A0 and σ are the instantaneous area,
initial area, and flow stress, respectively, L0 and ∆L are initial gauge length of sample and displacement
of the testing machine.
area, initial area, and flow stress, respectively, L0 and ∆L are initial gauge length of sample and
displacement of the testing machine.
During the calculation of the flow stress-strain curve of FZ, the measurement of the initial area
and 2020,
A0 BMMaterials A0 FZ 13,has
4645a significant impact on the accuracy of the calculation results. Figure 14b
14 of shows
16
the schematic diagram of the cross-section of the tensile sample. After etched by saturated picric acid
solution,During
the shape of FZ canof be
the calculation theobserved by optical
flow stress-strain curvemicroscope, and the value
of FZ, the measurement of theof
initial can be
A0 FZarea
measured fromA0the
A0 BM and FZ metallograph
has a significantby imageonprocessing
impact software.
the accuracy The arearesults.
of the calculation and 14b
of A11Figure shown in
A12 shows
the schematic diagram of the cross-section of the tensile sample. After etched by saturated picric
Figure 14b
acid can also
solution, thebe obtained
shape with
of FZ can be the same by
observed method.
optical The value ofandA0the
microscope, can be
BM value of obtained
A by the
can be 0 FZ
following formula:
measured from the metallograph by image processing software. The area of A11 and A12 shown in
Figure 14b can also be obtained with the same method. The value of A0 BM can be obtained by the
following formula: A0 BM = 1.2 × b1 + A11 + A12 + b2 × 1.6 (4)
A0 BM = 1.2 × b1 + A11 + A12 + b2 × 1.6 (4)
where b1 and b2 is the width of BM with different thicknesses, which can be measured from the
where b1 and b2 is the width of BM with different thicknesses, which can be measured from the upper
upper surface of the gauge section. By substituting the relevant data into formula 3, the flow stress of
surface of the gauge section. By substituting the relevant data into Formula (3), the flow stress of
FZ can
FZ be
canobtained.
be obtained.The flow
The flowstress-strain
stress-straincurves of FZ
curves of FZwelded
weldedunder
under different
different welding
welding speeds
speeds werewere
compared with
compared thatthat
with of of
BM BMininFigure
Figure15.
15.

Figure 15. Flow stress-strain curves of the FZ and BM.

Figure 15. Flow stress-strain curves of the FZ and BM.
It can be found that the flow stress-strain curve of FZ is obviously different from that of BM.
It can
The flowbestress-strain
found that the
curveflow stress-strain
of the BM decreasescurve of FZ
twice withis the
obviously
increasedifferent
of strain. from that oftoBM.
According the The
flowresults
stress-strain curve
of previous of the[28],
research BMdynamic
decreases twice with the
recrystallization increase
occurs of strain.
in B1500HS According
high-strength to the
steel underresults
of previous research [28],
high temperature dynamic
and low strainrecrystallization
rate conditions. Theoccurs in B1500HS
softening high-strength
effect caused steel under high
by this phenomenon
temperature and low strain rate conditions. The softening effect caused by this phenomenon
leads to the flow stress of the BM decrease for the first time with the increase of strain. Meanwhile, leads to
the second drop of flow stress-strain curve is caused by the material instability. In
the flow stress of the BM decrease for the first time with the increase of strain. Meanwhile, the secondcontrast, the flow
stress of FZ still keeps the upward trend when the flow stress of the BM decreases due to the softening
drop of flow stress-strain curve is caused by the material instability. In contrast, the flow stress of FZ
effects. In addition, it can also be concluded that the flow stress of FZ is higher than that of BM under
the same strain condition. During the heating process before quenching, the grain morphology of weld
joint changes obviously, and the grain size in FZ is smaller than that in BM. The increase of grain
boundary has a greater hinder effect on the movement of dislocation, thus improving the strength of
FZ. By comparing the flow stress-strain curves of FZ welded under different welding speeds, it can be
concluded that the change of welding speed has limited influence on the tensile properties of FZ.
Table 3 shows the elongation of B1500HS weld joints and BM. It can be found that the elongation
of the BM is significantly higher than that of the weld joints, and the change of welding speed has
no noticeable effect on the elongation of FZ. Although the heating process can obviously refine the
grains in FZ, the grain size is not uniform and many grains have an irregular shape, which leads
to the non-uniform distribution of deformation between grains in FZ, resulting in the local stress
concentration and promote the initiation and propagation of cracks. During the high-temperature
tensile process, the FZ of the samples cracked first, and then extended to both sides of the BM with the
increase of deformation, resulting in the fracture of sample showing a V-shape.
Materials 2020, 13, 4645 15 of 16

Table 3. Elongation and peak stress of base metal and FZ under different welding speeds.

Welding Speed mm/s Elongation

18 46.54%
30 42.18%
40 45.43%
BM 54.85%

4. Conclusions
In this paper, the effect of welding speed and post quenching on the microstructure and mechanical
properties of the B1500HS weld joint has been investigated. The following conclusions were derived
from the experimental results:
1. The increase of welding speed can improve the cooling rate of the weld joint and obtain finer
grains in FZ and CGZ.
2. For the quenched weld joint, the grain morphology of the original HAZ becomes uniform and
the grain size is similar to that of BM. In addition, the original columnar grains in FZ transformed into
equiaxed grains finer than that of BM, but the grain dimension is not uniform and many grains are
irregular in shape.
3. With the increase of welding speed, the hardness of FZ and CGZ increases slightly. For the
quenched weld joint, the hardness values of the welded joint at different positions were uniform and
basically the same. In addition, the change of welding speed has no obvious effect on the hardness of
the welded joint after quenching.
4. The flow stress-strain curves of FZ welded under different welding speeds were calculated
based on the mixture method. Compared with the BM, the FZ has higher strength but lower elongation.
Furthermore, the change of welding speed has no significant effects on the tensile properties of FZ at
high temperatures.

Author Contributions: Conceptualization, M.L.; Data curation, M.L., D.Y., Y.D., and L.Y.; Formal analysis, M.L.;
Investigation, M.L., D.Y., and L.Y.; Methodology, M.L., Y.G., and Y.D.; Project administration, Y.G. and Y.D.;
Software, D.Y.; Writing—original draft, D.Y. and Y.G.; Writing—review and editing, M.L., Y.G., and L.Y. All authors
have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Funding: This research was funded by the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province of China, Grant No.
E2018203254 and the Scientific Research Program of Hebei Province Education Department, Grant No. ZD2019013.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the
study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to
publish the results.

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