Fatigue performance of hybrid laser arc welded joints with high manganese steel

The increasing demand for eco-friendly energy has led to a rise in the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) ships, necessitating materials with superior mechanical and fatigue performance at cryogenic temperatures. High manganese steel has emerged as a promising alternative to conventional cryogenic steels due to its excellent mechanical properties. However, research on its fatigue performance, particularly in hybrid laser arc welding (HLAW), remains limited. This study evaluates the fatigue performance of HLAW joints in high manganese steel and compares the results with those from other welding processes. Comprehensive fatigue tests, including fatigue crack propagation analysis, were conducted to assess the fatigue resistance of the weldments. The results demonstrate that HLAW weldments exhibit superior fatigue resistance and mechanical properties compared to conventional arc-welded joints. These findings confirm the suitability of HLAW for LNG applications with high manganese steel, offering improved weld quality and increased productivity.