An estimation of factors influencing residual stress characteristics of fillet welded lap joints

The residual stress behaviours in fillet welded lap joints of sheet metal have been researched in a systematic testing procedure with varied steel types, steel thicknesses and welding wires having different transformation points. Consequently, under the simulated fabrication welding conditions (with a constant amount of deposited metal), the transverse residual stress at the weld toe, which is deemed critical in fatigue strength, has been found almost invariable to a change in steel type and thickness, but it has been clarified to become compressive to a greater extent as the wire’s transformation point is lower. Moreover, as for the residual stress inside the weld metal, the compressive residual stress area has been found to expand as the welding wire’s transformation point reduces, from the results of the thermo-elastic-plastic analysis. © 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.