Coupling 3D Quantitative Interrogation of Weld Microstructure with 3D Models of Mechanical Response

Porosity resulting from linear autogenous laser-welds of 304L stainless steel are non-destructively examined and digitally reproduced by means of micro-computed tomography. These digitized microstructures are then imported into a finite element framework in which the pores are surrounded by an idealized, homogenized geometry, and exposed to a plastic strain-inducing failure load. Variations in equivalent plastic strain, strain at peak load and load-to-failure were all found to bear some correlation with the digitized microstructure's local and global porosity content in simulation. Furthermore, experimental results show agreements in deformation trends predicted by simulation but reveal simulations underestimate both peak load and strain-to-failure.