SUMMARY
The present study is concerned with laser beam welding of 15CDV6 steel, that is in the hardened (quenched and tempered) condition before welding. Autogenously butt-welded joints are made using carbon dioxide laser with a maximum output of 3.5 kw in the continuous wave mode. Weld microstructure, microhardness measurement across the weldment, transverse tensile properties, and room temperature impact properties of the weldment have been evaluated. The fusion zone exhibits a epitaxial grain growth. The microstrutural features of heat-affected zone and fusion zone vary, due to different thermal cycles for which these were subjected during welding. The average weld metal hardness was 480 Hv. The observed hardness distribution across the welds were correlated with the microstructures. The welds exhibited lower toughness of 50 joules as compared to parent metal of 55 joules and the tensile strength values of the welded specimens are close to that obtained for sheet specimens.Defence Science Journal, Vol. 65, No. 4, July 2015, pp. 339-342, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.65.8749