| Abstract: | The advantages of the relatively new laser welding method are low welding distortions and high productivity, and it opens new opportunities for welding of steel structures in the automotive and heavy machinery industries. There is a need for understanding the fatigue strength and to develop fatigue design curves for laser welded joints. In this paper fatigue testing and weld quality of Hybrid Nd: YAG laser/MAG and MAG welded non‐load carrying cruciform joints is examined. Four batches were produced, tested and the results were compared. The local weld geometry of the cruciform welded joints was measured and analysed. The measured parameters were used to calculate the stress concentration factors by implementing FE‐models, in order to anticipate the influence of size of weld geometrical parameters on the stress concentrations. Residual stress measurement was carried out close to the toe region using the X‐ray diffraction method and weld defects (cold laps) in the cracked specimens was measured. |
