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This work is concerned with comparative tests involving single-spot and twin-spot laser welding of thermomechanically rolled TRIP steel. The welding tests were carried out using keyhole welding and a solid state laser. In the case of twin-spot laser beam welding, the power distribution of beams was 50%:50%. The changes in macro- and microstructures were investigated using light and scanning electron microscopy. Three main zones subjected to the tests included the fusion zone, the heat affected zone and the intercritical heat affected zone (transition zone between the base material and the HAZ). Special attention was paid to the effect of various thermal cycles on the microstructure of each zone and on martensite morphology. The tests involved hardness measurements carried out in order to investigate the effect of different microstructures on mechanical properties of welds.

The work addresses modified methods of twin-spot laser welding of complex phase steel sheets and investigates the effects of laser beam distribution on the macrostructure, microstructure and hardness. The research-related results were obtained for the beam power distributions of 50%-50%, 60%-40% and 70%-30%. Test joints were made using a Yb:YAG disc laser with a maximum power of 12 kW and a welding head by means of which it was possible to focus a laser beam on two spots. It was found that the change in the laser beam distribution affects geometrical features of the joint. The application of the second beam of lower power enables obtaining tempering-like effects, which finally lead to the beneficial hardness reduction both in the fusion zone and in heat-affected zone. The identification of various microstructural constituents in different zones of the joint was performed using light microscopic micrographs and scanning electron images.

The work addresses the production of medium-Mn steels with an increased Al content. The special attention is focused on the identification of non-metallic inclusions and their modification using rare earth elements. The conditions of the thermomechanical treatment using the metallurgical Gleeble simulator and the semi-industrial hot rolling line were designed for steels containing 3 and 5% Mn. Hot-working conditions and controlled cooling strategies with the isothermal holding of steel at 400°C were selected. The effect of Mn content on the hot-working behaviour and microstructure of steel was addressed. The force-energetic parameters of hot rolling were determined. The identification of structural constituents was performed using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy methods. The addition of rare earth elements led to the total modification of non-metallic inclusions, i.e., they replaced Mn and Al forming complex oxysulphides. The Mn content in a range between 3 and 5% does not affect the inclusion type and the hot-working behaviour. In contrast, it was found that Mn has a significant effect on a microstructure.

The article presents the possibility of using twin-spot laser welding (i.e. laser welding with focusing a laser beam on two spots) for making overlap joints made of 0.8-1 mm thick HSLA and DP type high strength steel sheets. Joints were made using a Yb:YAG disc laser having a maximum power of 12 kW and a welding head by means of which it was possible to focus a laser beam on two spots, 0.6 mm and 1 mm away. The angle between focuses amounted to 0° or 90°, whereas the power distribution was 50%-50%. With settings as presented above it was possible to obtain high-quality overlap joints. The geometrical parameters of the joints were primarily affected by beams positions (in relation to each other) and, to a lesser degree, by the distance between the focuses. It was possible to obtain a 10% hardness reduction in the fusion zone of the DPHSLA steel joints if the angle between the beams amounted to 90°. The tests also involved microstructural examinations of individual zones of the joints

Corrosion resistance of the X4MnSiAlNbTi27-4-2 and X6MnSiAlNbTi26-3-3 type austenitic steels, after hot deformation as well as after cold rolling, were evaluated in 3.5% NaCl solution using potentiodynamic polarization tests. A type of nonmetallic inclusions and their pitting corrosion behaviour were investigated. Additionally, the effect of cold deformation on the corrosion resistance of high-Mn steels was studied. The SEM micrographs revealed that corrosion damage formed in both investigated steels is characterized by various shapes and an irregular distribution at the metallic matrix, independently on the steel state (thermomechanically treated or cold worked). Corrosion pits are generated both in grain interiors, grain boundaries and along the deformation bands. Moreover, corrosion damage is stronger in cold deformed steels in comparison to the thermomechanically treated specimens. EDS analysis revealed that corrosion pits preferentially nucleated on MnS and AlN inclusions or complex oxysulphides. The morphology of corrosion damage in 3.5% NaCl supports the data registered in potentiodynamic tests.