Study of Bake Hardening Effect on Laser Welded Hot Rolled Ferrite‐Bainite Dual Phase Steels

The influence of bake hardening (BH) effect on laser welded hot rolled ferrite‐bainite dual phase steel (FBS) with respect to the process conditions was investigated. The samples were firstly laser welded and then pre‐strained. Pre‐strained the samples with defined degrees of deformation and a subsequent aging treatment leads to enhanced hardness and strengthening for both conditions. The microstructure of the fusion zone (FZ) and heat affected zone (HAZ) was studied. A high volume fraction of martensite could be observed in the FZ as well as in the HAZ. Both steels exhibited a clear BH effect in both, the as‐received and the laser welded conditions. The BH effect is more pronounced in the pre‐strained laser welded condition.