Influence of precipitation on dislocation substructure and creep properties of P91 steel weld joints

Abstract

Two trial weld joints were prepared using the GTAW and SMAW methods and they underwent creep testing at temperatures between 525 and 625°C. The longest time to rupture was 45,811 h. Two main processes occurred during creep exposures: recovery and precipitation of secondary phases. Slight coarsenings of the M₂₃C₆ carbide, precipitation of Laves phase and Z-phase were observed after long tests at high temperatures. Some differences in microstructure and creep failure were found in the individual zones of weldments. After long exposure at temperatures up to 600°C, fractures occurred in the fine-grain heat-affected zone as a result of a low density of fine vanadium nitride and a high density of coarse particles at grain and subgrain boundaries. At 625°C, growth of Laves phase caused a softening of the ferritic matrix and crack propagation in the weld metal.     

焊接对HK40高温炉管的蠕变损伤与断裂的影响

采用含有局部效应的蠕变损伤力学方法,计及材料不均匀性,建立母材和焊缝金属两材料有限元模型,分析了具有缺口的ＨＫ４０带焊缝试样以及实际ＨＫ４０炉焊接接头的蠕变损伤发展与断裂。蠕变损伤模拟结果表明,虽然焊缝金属为蠕变硬焊缝,但在服役寿命的后焊缝损伤较母材严重,出现损伤局部化特征,最终的失效发生在焊缝中。股役１０年的ＨＫ４０炉管的金相剖析也明显焊缝比母材具有较高的损伤级别,这预示着焊缝在长期股役过程中是最薄弱的环节之一。     

Effect of phase transformations on the creep rupture properties of two type 316 weld metals

Many of the factors which give rise to the low and variable creep rupture properties of type 316 weld metals are not yet fully understood. In the present study two weldments fabricated using the same welding parameters, but with compositional differences which give rise to different weight fractions of sigma phase and M₂₃C₆ carbides have been examined after creep testing. It was found that lower creep rupture strength and ductility was associated with higher weight fractions of sigma phase, which give rise to a higher number density of cavities at low deformation levels and facilitate crack propagation along sigma-austenite interfaces. The observed microstructural differences have been explained with reference to the predictions which can be made using thermodynamic analysis.     

Laser welding of oxide dispersion-strengthened alloy MA754

Conventional arc-welding of MA 754, an oxide dispersion-strengthened (ODS) superalloy, poses two significant problems: agglomeration of dispersoids and weld solidification grain boundaries perpendicular to the rolled direction, both of which reduce the high-temperature creep and stress rupture properties. In the present work, laser welding of MA 754 alloy was conducted to determine the effects of a high energy density source on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a 3.2 mm thick butt joint. Tungsten-inert-gas (TIG) welding was also studied for comparison purpose. X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy analysis coupled with tensile, hardness and hot corrosion tests were used to evaluate the performance of weldments. Results indicated the absence of dispersoid agglomeration and superior tensile and corrosion properties of laser weldments over arc welds. The properties of laser weldments are comparable to those of wrought MA 754.     

Characterisation of dissimilar P91 and P92 steel welds joint

In the present study, dissimilar weld joint was prepared using the P91 and P92 steel plate of 8-mm thickness, using the multi-pass gas tungsten arc (GTA) welding with filler (weld 1) and autogenous tungsten inert gas welding (A-TIG) process (weld 2). Evolution of δ-ferrite patches was studied in weld zone and heat affected zone (HAZ) for both weld 1 and weld 2. Effect of varying post weld heat treatment (PWHT) duration was also studied on δ-ferrite patches and mechanical properties of the dissimilar weld joint. PWHT was carried out at 760°C. For weld 2, weld zone showed poor impact toughness and higher peak hardness as compared to weld 1. After the PWHT, a considerable reduction in hardness was obtained for both weld 1 and weld 2,while impact toughness of weld zone showed a continuous increment with PWHT duration. For weldments characterisation, optical microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and microhardness tester were utilised.     

Correlation between microstructure and creep performance of martensitic/austenitic transition weldment in dependence of its post-weld heat treatment

This paper deals with the influence of post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) of T92/TP316H martensitic/austenitic transition weldment on the resulting microstructure and creep characteristics. Experimental weldments were fabricated by gas tungsten arc welding using a nickel-based weld metal (Ni WM). After the welding, two individual series of produced weldments were heat-treated according to two different PWHT procedures. The first “conventional PWHT” was carried out via subcritical tempering (i.e. bellow Ac₁ temperature of T92 steel), whereas the other one, the so-called “full PWHT” consisted of a complete reaustenitization of the weldments followed by water-quenching and final tempering. The use of “conventional PWHT” preserved microstructural gradient of T92 steel heat-affected zone (HAZ), consisting of its typical coarse-grained and fine-grained subregions with tempered martensitic and recrystallized ferritic–carbidic microstructures respectively. In contrast, the “full PWHT” led to the complete elimination of the original HAZ via transformation processes involved, i.e. the reaustenitization and back on-cooling martensite formation. The observed microstructural changes depending on the initial PWHT conditions were further manifested by corresponding differences in the weldments’ creep performance and their failure mode. The weldments in “conventional PWHT” state ruptured after long-term creep tests by premature “type IV failure” within their recrystallized intercritical HAZs. On the contrary, the long-term creep behavior of the weldments processed by “full PWHT” was characterized by their remarkable creep life extension but also by the occurrence of unfavorable “decohesion failure” along T92/Ni WM interface.     

Role of pulsed current on metallurgical and mechanical properties of dissimilar metal gas tungsten arc welding of maraging steel to low alloy steel

This research work encompasses the investigations carried out on the mechanical and metallurgical properties of maraging steel and AISI 4340 aeronautical steel weldments. The materials were joined by continuous current gas tungsten arc welding (CCGTA) and pulse current (PCGTA) gas tungsten arc welding processes using ErNiCrMo-3 filler wire. Cross sectional macrostructures confirmed proper deposition of the fillers and lack of discontinuities. Optical microscopy studies revealed that at the maraging steel–weld interface, martensite in distorted and block forms prevailed in CCGTA and PCGTA weldments whereas tempered martensite was predominant at the low alloy–weld interfaces of both the welds. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDAX) analysis apparently showed less elemental migration in PCGTA weldments as compared to the other. Results of X-ray diffraction analysis recorded possible phase formations in various zones of the weldments. Microhardness profiles in either weld zones followed a constant trend whereas it showed a downtrend in the heat affected zones (HAZ) of the maraging steel and very high hardness profiles were observed in the low alloy steel side. Tensile studies on various factors and impact testing showed that PCGTA weldments outperformed the continuous ones in terms of strength, ductility and toughness. Fractograph analysis depicted the nature of failures of tensile and impact tested specimens. Comparison analyses involving influence and nature of pulsed current welds over continuous ones were done to determine the possibility of implementing these joining processes in aerospace applications. Weldments fabricated using PCGTA technique proved to be superior to the other, resulting in exceptional mechanical properties.     

含钼镍基焊缝金属在硝酸溶液中的腐蚀行为

研究了三种不同Mo含量的镍基焊缝熔敷金属在强氧化性介质(65%硝酸溶液)中的腐蚀行为。结果表明,熔敷金属在硝酸溶液中浸泡后发生了晶间腐蚀、点蚀以及枝晶间腐蚀等局部腐蚀。由于Mo元素促进了大尺寸Laves相在熔敷金属枝晶间的析出,在Laves相与基体之间产生了较大的电化学差异,导致Laves相在氧化性介质中腐蚀溶解,增大了熔敷金属的点蚀敏感性。在620℃焊后的去应力退火过程中,在焊缝中发生元素再分配,Mo元素降低了枝晶间Ni、Cr元素的贫化。由于枝晶间Ni、Cr元素的贫化是引起熔敷金属枝晶间腐蚀的重要因素,Mo元素降低了焊缝熔敷金属在硝酸溶液中枝晶间腐蚀敏感性。     

Impact behavior of different stainless steel weldments at low temperatures

A comparative study was made of the fracture behavior of austenitic and duplex stainless steel weldments at cryogenic temperatures by impact testing. The investigated materials were two austenitic (304L and 316L) and one duplex (2505) stainless steel weldments. Shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) and tungsten inert gas welding (TIG) were employed as joining techniques. Instrumented impact testing was performed between room and liquid nitrogen (?196 °C) test temperatures. The results showed a slight decrease in the impact energy of the 304L and 316L base metals with decreasing test temperature. However, their corresponding SMAW and TIG weld metals displayed much greater drop in their impact energy values. A remarkable decrease (higher than 95%) was observed for the duplex stainless steel base and weld metals impact energy with apparent ductile to brittle transition behavior. Examination of fracture surface of tested specimens revealed complete ductile fracture morphology for the austenitic base and weld metals characterized by wide and narrow deep and shallow dimples. On the contrary, the duplex stainless steel base and weld metals fracture surface displayed complete brittle fracture morphology with extended large and small stepped cleavage facets. The ductile and brittle fracture behavior of both austenitic and duplex stainless steels was supplemented by the instrumented load–time traces. The distinct variation in the behavior of the two stainless steel categories was discussed in light of the main parameters that control the deformation mechanisms of stainless steels at low temperatures; stacking fault energy, strain induced martensite transformation and delta ferrite phase deformation.     

Bubble flow and the formation of cavity defect in weld pool of vacuum electron beam welding

Seen from gas-liquid two-phase-flow system, the gas phase and liquid phase of bubble flow in weld pool are studied by means of isolated phase based on the conservation of mass and momentum. The two-dimensional fractional flow model of bubble flow in weld pool of vacuum electron beam welding is developed. And the gas distribution and the phenomenon of bubble flow in weld pool of AZ91D magnesium alloy are simulated to analyze the formation and distribution of cavity defects. The results show that the possibility of gas escape in fully penetrated weld pool is much greater than non-penetrated weld. It appears that the probability of cavity defects is lower than non-penetrated weld to some extent. The formation of typical cavity defects is closely related to the flow pattern and flow characteristics of the bubble flow in deep penetration weld pool of vacuum electron beam welding. Higher liquid flow rate is more conducive to the escape of gas in molten metal, so that the final porosity in weld is low.     

Bubble flow and the formation of cavity defect in weld pool of vacuum electron beam welding

Seen from gas-liquid two-phase-flow system, the gas phase and liquid phase of bubble flow in weld pool are studied by means of isolated phase based on the conservation of mass and momentum. The two-dimensional fractional flow model of bubble flow in weld pool of vacuum electron beam welding is developed. And the gas distribution and the phenomenon of bubble flow in weld pool of AZ91D magnesium alloy are simulated to analyze the formation and distribution of cavity defects. The results show that the possibility of gas escape in fully penetrated weld pool is much greater than non-penetrated weld. It appears that the probability of cavity defects is lower than non-penetrated weld to some extent. The formation of typical cavity defects is closely related to the flow pattern and flow characteristics of the bubble flow in deep penetration weld pool of vacuum electron beam welding. Higher liquid flow rate is more conducive to the escape of gas in molten metal, so that the final porosity in weld is low.     

Study on Laves phase in an advanced heat-resistant steel

The Laves phase is one of the most significant precipitates in ferritic/martensitic heat-resistant steels. Laves phase precipitates in the creep rupture specimens with different rupture life were studied on a 10 wt.% Cr heat-resistant steel. JMatPro thermodynamic and kinetic calculations were carried out to simulate and predict the precipitation behavior of the Laves phase in the steel at the equilibrium state. The morphologies of the Laves phase developed with creep time were characterized under both scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Effects of Co on the growth behavior of Laves phase and the corresponding fracture mode were analyzed. It was found that the Laves phase in the steel grew to 200 nm in size after only 1598 h at 600°C, indicating that the addition of Co in the steel could accelerate the growth of Laves phase, and the coalescence of large Laves phase would lead to the brittle intergranular fracture.     

Characterisation of Laves phase precipitation and its correlation to creep rupture strength of ferritic steels

The Laves phase precipitation process was characterised by means of field emission scanning electron microscopy to demonstrate its effect on creep rupture strength of steels with a fully ferritic matrix. To eliminate the effects of carbide and carbonitride precipitations so that the creep rupture data can be analysed exclusively in relation to the Laves phase precipitation process, an alloy Fe–9Cr–3Co–3W (wt.%) without C and N additions was used for the study. Creep rupture strengths were measured and volume fraction and particle size of Laves phase precipitates in the ruptured specimens were analysed. It was found that the creep rupture strength started to collapse (or decrease more rapidly) long before the Laves phase precipitation reached equilibrium fraction. This was related to the onset of the coarsening of Laves phase particles, which precipitated only on grain boundaries and hence contributed little to precipitation strengthening. Creep deformation had no effect either on the precipitation kinetics or on the growth kinetics of Laves phase particles.     

Study on Laves phase in an advanced heat-resistant steel

The Laves phase is one of the most significant precipitates in ferritic/martensitic heat-resistant steels. Laves phase precipitates in the creep rupture specimens with different rupture life were studied on a 10 wt.% Cr heat-resistant steel. JMatPro thermodynamic and kinetic calculations were carried out to simulate and predict the precipitation behavior of the Laves phase in the steel at the equilibrium state. The morphologies of the Laves phase developed with creep time were characterized under both scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Effects of Co on the growth behavior of Laves phase and the corresponding fracture mode were analyzed. It was found that the Laves phase in the steel grew to 200 nm in size after only 1598 h at 600°C, indicating that the addition of Co in the steel could accelerate the growth of Laves phase, and the coalescence of large Laves phase would lead to the brittle intergranular fracture.     

High temperature mechanical properties of cryogenically cooled alloy 718 weldments

The micro-segregation of niobium and Laves phase formation during Gas Tungsten Arc (GTA) welding of alloy 718 were studied by employing different cooling techniques which resulted in weld cooling rates ranging from 43.2 °C/s to 508.7 °C/s. The weld cooling rates were achieved by the combinations of modified pulse wave form, argon and helium shielding gases, copper heat sink and liquid nitrogen cooling. A combination of compound current pulse (CCP) waveform with helium shielding and liquid nitrogen cooling resulted in lesser niobium segregation and discontinuous, finer Laves particles in the interdendritic regions compared to that of the conventional constant current GTA weld metal. This process yielded better ageing response and improved high temperature mechanical properties of the weldments.     

Metallurgical characterization of pulsed current gas tungsten arc,friction stir and laser beam welded AZ31B magnesium alloy joints

This paper reports the influences of welding processes such as friction stir welding (FSW), laser beam welding (LBW) and pulsed current gas tungsten arc welding (PCGTAW) on mechanical and metallurgical properties of AZ31B magnesium alloy. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-Ray diffraction technique were used to evaluate the metallurgical characteristics of welded joints. LBW joints exhibited superior tensile properties compared to FSW and PCGTAW joints due to the formation of finer grains in weld region, higher fusion zone hardness, the absence of heat affected zone, presence of uniformly distributed finer precipitates in weld region.     

Effect of controlled atmosphere on the mig-mag arc weldment properties

Due to their higher welding speed, automation and weld pool protection against to the atmosphere gases, gas metal arc welding (GMAW) process is widely used in industry. Due to the less stable arc associated with the use of consumable electrodes, GMAW process is not clean as good as gas tungsten arc welding process. Furthermore, the greater arc length in GMAW process also reduces the protective effect of the shielding gas. Due to electrochemical and thermochemical reactions between weld pool and arc atmosphere, it is quite important, especially weld metal toughness and joining of reactive materials to entirely create inert atmosphere for GMAW process. Therefore, a controlled atmosphere cabinet was developed for GMAW process. Low carbon steel combinations were welded with classical GMAW process in argon atmosphere as well as controlled atmosphere cabinet by using similar welding parameters. The mechanical and metallurgical properties of both weldments were evaluated. Result shows that toughness of the weld metal that was obtained in the controlled atmosphere cabinet much higher than that of classical GMAW process. The metallographic examination also clarified that there was not any gas porosity and inclusion in the weld metal compared with classical process.     

Effect of heat input and weld chemistry on mechanical and microstructural aspects of double side welded austenitic stainless steel 321 grade using tungsten inert gas arc welding process

Stainless steel 321 is a stabilized austenitic grade that prevents the formation of chromium carbides at the grain boundaries and subsequently reduces the risk of corrosion attack at the weld surface by forming titanium carbide. It is primarily used in industries such as pressure vessels, boilers, nuclear reactors, carburetors and car exhaust systems. In order to assess the effect of gas tungsten arc welding process parameters on weld penetration, the proposed Taguchi L₉ orthogonal matrix has been selected with two factors and three levels for welding austenitic stainless steel 321 by adjusting the welding current and welding speed. Bead-on-plate experiments were performed on base metal of 6 mm thick plate by changing the process parameters, and corresponding weld bead measurement and macrostructure images are examined. Maximum depth of penetration −3.3017 mm is achieved with a heat input −1.4058 kJ/mm, i. e., welding current-220 A and welding speed-120 mm/min. Double-side arc welding technique is used to obtain full penetration on 6 mm thick plate. The quality of the weldment was assessed using non-destructive radiography inspection. Mechanical integrity and microstructural characteristics of the weldments were studied using tensile (transverse and longitudinal), bend, impact, microhardness, optical microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction analysis, ferrite number measurement and scanning electron microscope. The results reveal that the double side-tungsten inert gas weldment have better mechanical properties. It is corroborated from the weld metal microstructure that it contains γ-austenite, δ-ferrite and titanium carbides (intermetallic compounds). X-ray diffraction analysis and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy plots confirm the increase in the ferrite phase in weld metal. The ferrite measurement results show that the ferrite volume in the base metal and weld metal is 1.2 percent and 6.1 percent respectively. In addition, the higher δ-ferrite volume in the weldment helps in attaining superior mechanical integrity. Fractography shows that the failure mode of the weld metal and the base metal is ductile.     

Effect of flux addition on the microstructure and tensile strength of dissimilar weldments involving Inconel 718 and AISI 416

This research work articulates the microstructural features of the dissimilar weldments involving Ni based superalloy Inconel 718 and martensitic stainless steel, AISI 416 that is difficult to weld. Autogenous tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding was carried out with and without using flux to fabricate these bimetallic combinations. Microstructure at the fusion zones and the interfaces were characterized using optical and scanning electron microscopy. The results depicted the presence of fine martensite at the heat affected zone (HAZ) of AISI 416 and the formation of unmixed zone containing secondary phases at the HAZ of Inconel 718. Similarly, the formation of Nb rich eutectics along with sulfides was witnessed at the fusion zone of both the weldments. Owing to the low heat input witnessed during the flux assisted TIG welding, the Nb segregation was found to be minimal. Tensile studies reported that the fracture occurred at the fusion zone in both the cases. It was inferred from the tensile studies that the joint strength of the weldments with flux addition was greater than the ones without flux. This study demonstrated that dissimilar joints with complete penetration could be achieved in single pass using the TIG welding process with the aid of flux.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Inconel 718 electron beam welds

Abstract

Bead on plate, full penetration electron beam welds were produced in 2 mm thickness sheets of Inconel 718 in the solution treated condition. Welds were subjected to an aging treatment with and without post-weld solution treatment. Weld microstructures, high temperature tensile properties and stress rupture properties were evaluated. The as welded fusion zone showed a considerable amount of interdendritic niobium segregation and brittle intermetallic Laves phase. The tensile and stress rupture properties of the welds after post-weld aging treatment were found to be inferior in relation to the base metal. Post-weld solution treatment at 980°C was found to result in partial dissolution of Laves phase, some reduction in niobium segregation and the formation of δ phase needles around the Laves particles. The use of 980°C solution treatment was found to improve the weld properties to some extent, although not to the level of the base metal. The reasons for this behaviour are discussed, correlating microstructures, fracture features and mechanical properties.