The automated laser welding process of 2.0 mm thick sheets of AISI 304 stainless steel was investigated. The disk laser with a beam spot diameter of 200 μm was used for bead-on-plate and next for autogenous butt joints welding. The influence of basic welding parameters such as laser power, welding speed, and focal spot position on fusion zone configuration, quality of joints, microstructure changes, and microhardness distribution across the joints were analysed and presented in this paper. The results have shown that stiffening of the 2.0 mm thick sheets is crucial for providing high quality and reproducibility of butt joint in a case of AISI 304 stainless steel due to relatively low thermal conductivity and simultaneously high thermal expansion. Relevant drop of microhardness in the weld zone was observed. The mean value of microhardness of the base metal was 230 HV0.1, while the microhardness in fusion zone of the test welds was ranged from 130 to 170 HV0.1. Additionally the microstructure changes in the weld metal and also in the heat affected zone of test joints is described.

Railway buffers during the operation are staying in almost permanent contact with each other, creating friction node in the point of contact

of two railway buffer heads. In consequence of overcoming track curves, turnouts and unevenness of track, the railway buffer heads moves

relative to each other causing friction, which results in its wear. When the wear is excessive, it might be a reason to withdrawn vehicle

from service, it causes flattening of buffer head, and in consequence its abnormal cooperation. To avoid this phenomenon the buffer heads

should be covered with graphitized grease, but this method has many disadvantages. Accordingly, it was found that it would be beneficial

to cover the buffer head with bronze using laser cladding. In this article the metallographic and mechanical analysis of the newly created

top layer of railway buffer head are presented. In article the results from tribological tests conducted on Amsler test bench are also

presented. Based on test results described in article concluded that the layer of bronze coat on working surface of railway buffer head can

be beneficial from operational point of view.

Weld metal deposit (WMD) was carried out for standard MMA welding process. This welding method is still promising mainly due to the high amount of AF (acicular ferrite) and low amount of MAC (self-tempered martensite, retained austenite, carbide) phases in WMD. That structure corresponds with good impact toughness of welds at low temperature. Separate effect of these elements on the mechanical properties of welds is well known, but the combined effect of these alloy additions has not been analyzed so far. It was decided to check the total influence of nickel with a content between 1% to 3% and molybdenum with content from 0.1% up to 0.5%.