The article presents the results of research on low cycle fatigue strength of laser welded joints vs. non-welded material of high-strength steel DOMEX 700 MC. The tests were performed under load controlled using the total strain amplitude ε_ac. The operating principle of the special electro-mechanic fatigue testing equipment with a suitable clamping system was working on 35 Hz frequency. Fatigue life analysis was conducted based on the Manson-Coffin-Basquin equation, which made it possible to determine fatigue parameters. Studies have shown differences in the fatigue life of original specimens and laser welded joints analysed, where laser welded joints showed lower fatigue resistance. In this article a numerical analysis of stresses generated in bending fatigue specimens has been performed employing the commercially available FEM-program ADINA.

This work was supported by the Slovak Research and Development Agency under the contract No. APVV-14-0096.