A 980 MPa transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) steel was fibre laser spot welded by different Argon (Ar) shielding conditions, laser power (1000 up to 2500 W) and defocusing distances (−8 up to +8 mm). The surface appearance, cross-section macrostructure, microstructure, hardness, tensile shear properties and fatigue properties of laser spot welds were evaluated. The results showed that the welds with Ar shielding had larger weld appearance and bonding sizes, better tensile shear properties compared with the welds without Ar shielding. With the increase in laser power, the laser welding mode changed from conduction to keyhole, which improved the bonding size and mechanical properties. The bonding size and mechanical properties increased in the order of defocusing distances of +8, −8, +4, −4 and 0 mm. During the fatigue tests of laser spot weld, the fusion zone pullout and sheet transverse fracture failure modes were observed.
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