Optimization of weld bead geometry of laser welded ANSI 304 austenitic stainless steel using grey-based Taguchi method

This paper investigates the quality characteristics of the welding geometry of the laser welding process for the ANSI 304 austenitic stainless steel, with the use of a pulsed Nd:YAG laser welding system. Laser welding of 2 mm thick ANSI 304 stainless steel is performed at three different levels of three factors, i. e., peak power, welding speed and pulse duration. In this study, a multi-response optimization problem is developed to achieve weld bead geometry with full penetration as well as a narrow bead width and minimum crater. Grey relational analysis based on Taguchi orthogonal array is used to present an effective approach for the optimization of laser welding process parameters. Regression equations between the welding parameters and the bead dimensions for laser welded austenitic stainless steels are developed, which are used in predicting the penetration, width and crater. Finally, the equations are tested for values different from the levels of the parameters in the orthogonal array. It will be beneficial to engineers for continuous improvement in laser welded product quality.     

Resistance spot welding joints of AISI 316L austenitic stainless steel sheets: Phase transformations,mechanical properties and microstructure characterizations

In this paper, we aim to optimize welding parameters namely welding current and time in resistance spot welding (RSW) of the austenitic stainless steel sheets grade AISI 316L. Afterward, effect of optimum welding parameters on the resistance spot welding properties and microstructure of AISI 316L austenitic stainless steel sheets has been investigated. Effect of welding current at constant welding time was considered on the weld properties such as weld nugget size, tensile–shear load bearing capacity of welded materials, failure modes, failure energy, ductility, and microstructure of weld nuggets as well. Phase transformations that took place during weld thermal cycle were analyzed in more details including metallographic studies of welding of the austenitic stainless steels. Metallographic images, mechanical properties, electron microscopy photographs and micro-hardness measurements showed that the region between interfacial to pullout mode transition and expulsion limit is defined as the optimum welding condition. Backscattered electron scanning microscopic images (BE-SEM) showed various types of delta ferrite in weld nuggets. Three delta ferrite morphologies consist of skeletal, acicular and lathy delta ferrite morphologies formed in resistance spot welded regions as a result of non-equilibrium phases which can be attributed to the fast cooling rate in RSW process and consequently, prediction and explanation of the obtained morphologies based on Schaeffler, WRC-1992 and Pseudo-binary phase diagrams would be a difficult task.     

基于焊道尺寸控制的电弧增材成形高氮奥氏体不锈钢与316L不锈钢交织结构EI北大核心CSCD

采用高氮奥氏体钢与316L不锈钢丝材,对高氮奥氏体不锈钢熔覆焊道、单道多层、单层多道表面成形特性进行分析,筛选适宜的工艺参数。通过控制两种材料焊道尺寸,获得最适用于成形异材交织结构的工艺参数。利用不同道间距实验得到异材焊道的最佳道间距,并采用合理路径,制备电弧增材成形交织结构。结果表明:工艺参数的变化对高氮奥氏体不锈钢焊道表面成形特性影响极大,易出现气孔;提出异材焊道几何尺寸、截面面积匹配误差法,获得最佳工艺参数:其中高氮奥氏体钢丝材的送丝速率为5.7 m/min,316L不锈钢丝材的送丝速率为5.6 m/min,焊接速率均为0.6 m/min。通过降低起弧次数,采用闭合路径,提高了异材交织结构成形精度,减少了后处理加工。     

Optimization of hybrid laser–TIG welding of 316LN stainless steel using genetic algorithm

Determination of optimum hybrid laser–TIG welding process variables for achieving the maximum depth of penetration (DOP) in type 316LN stainless steel has been carried out using a genetic algorithm (GA). Nd:YAG pulsed laser and the TIG heat source were coupled at the weld pool to carry out hybrid welding. Design of experiments approach was used to generate the experimental design matrix. Bead-on-plate welds were carried out based on the design matrix. The input variables considered were laser power, pulse frequency, pulse duration, and TIG current. The response variable considered was the DOP. Multiple-regression model was developed correlating the process variables with the DOP using the generated data. The regression model was used for evaluating the objective function in GA. GA-based model was developed and it produced a set of solutions. Tournament and roulette wheel selection methods were used during the execution of GA. It was found that both the selection methods identified similar welding process parameters for achieving the maximum DOP. Excellent agreement was observed between the target DOP and the DOP values obtained in the validation experiments during hybrid laser–TIG welding.     

Considerations for the weldability of types 304L and 316L stainless steel

The susceptibility of austenitic stainless steels to the formation of two distinct weld defects, solidification cracking and lack of penetration, is related to the chemical composition of the base and filler material. The propensity for cracking is determined primarily by the solidification mode and the amount of residual tramp elements such as phosphorous and sulfur. High sulfur levels can lead to weld centerline cracking and heat affected zone (HAZ) cracking while very low sulfur levels (less than ∼50 ppm) in types 304L and 316L are associated with lack of penetration weld defects and a distinct loss in puddle control during fusion welding. A calculated Cr_eq to Ni_eq ratio of 1.52 to 1.9 is recommended to control the primary mode of solidification and prevent solidification cracks in type 304L while the Cr_eq/Ni_eq ratio of 1.42 to 1.9 is recommended for type 316L stainless steel. A lower limit of 50 ppm sulfur is recommended to avoid possible lack of penetration. These ranges should be validated by welding trials for specific weld processes and applications.     

Optimization of Welding Process Parameters for 9Cr-1Mo Steel Using RSM and GA

Optimization of A-TIG welding process parameters for 9Cr-1Mo steel has been carried out using response surface methodology (RSM) and genetic algorithm (GA). RSM has been used to obtain the design matrix for generating data on the influence of process parameters on the response variables. A second-order response surface model was developed for predicting the response for the set of given input variables. Then, numerical and graphical optimization was performed using RSM to obtain the target depth of penetration (DOP) and heat-affected zone (HAZ) width using desirability approach. Multiple regression models were developed based on the generated data, and then the models were used in GA to determine the optimum process parameters for achieving the target DOP and HAZ width. GA-based models employed two different selection processes. Both the RSM- and GA-based models suggested a number of solutions in terms of process parameters, and the identified solutions were validated by experiments. GA-based model employing tournament selection has been found to be a more accurate method for determining the optimum A-TIG welding process parameters.     

Investigations on the mechanical properties and microstructure of dissimilar cp-titanium and AISI 316L austenitic stainless steel continuous friction welds

Friction welding process is a solid state joining process that produces a weld under the compressive force contact of one rotating and one stationary work piece. In this study, the friction welding of dissimilar joints of AISI 316L stainless steel and cp-titanium is considered. The optical, scanning electron microscopy studies of the weld were carried out. Moreover, the X-ray diffraction analysis was performed. The integrity of welds was achieved by the micro hardness and tensile tests. The fracture surface was examined by the scanning electron microscopy. The study showed that the magnitude of tensile strength of the dissimilar welded specimen was below that of the titanium base material if preheating was not applied at the interface. The high weld tensile strength was achieved by preheating the 316L stainless steel material to 700 °C, smoothing and cleaning of the contact surfaces. Results illustrated that in dissimilar joints, different phases and intermetallic compounds such as FeTi, Fe₂Ti, Fe₂Ti₄O, Cr₂Ti and sigma titanium phase were produced at the interface. The presence of brittle intermetallic compounds at the interface resulted in degradation of mechanical strength which in turn led to premature failure of joint interface in the service condition. Preheating caused to produce oxide layer at the interface which was harmful for bonding. The oxide layer could be eliminated by applying pressure and smoothing the surface. Results of hardness tests illustrated that the high hardness was occurred in the titanium side adjacent to the joint interface. Moreover, the optimum operational parameters were obtained in order to achieve the weld tensile strength greater than the weak titanium material.     

Optimization of A-TIG process parameters using response surface methodology

In the present work, the influence of process parameters such as welding current (I), welding speed (S), and flux coating density (F) on different aspects of weld bead geometry for example depth of penetration (DOP), bead width (BW), depth to width ratio (D/W), and weld fusion zone area (WA) were investigated by using the central composite design (CCD). 9–12% Cr ferritic stainless steel (FSS) plates were welded using A-TIG welding. It was observed that all input variables have a direct influence on the DOP, BW, and D/W. However, flux coating density has no significant effect on WA. Mathematical models were generated from the obtained responses to predict the weld bead geometry. An optimized DOP, BW, D/W, and WA of 6.95?mm, 8.76?mm, 0.80, and 41.99?mm², respectively, were predicted at the welding current of 213.78 A, the welding speed of 96.22?mm/min, and the flux coating density of 1.99?mg/cm². Conformity test was done to check the practicability of the developed models. The conformity test results were in good agreement with the predicted values. Arc constriction and reversal in Marangoni convection were considered as major mechanisms for the deep and narrow weld bead during A-TIG welding.     

Small-scale resistance spot welding of austenitic stainless steels

Small-scale resistance spot welding (SSRSW) was carried out for austenitic stainless steels. A weld lobe that shows the process window for making sound joints was obtained for type 304 stainless steel thin sheets, and the effects of welding current, force and weld time on joint strength and nugget size were investigated. The cooling rate that was estimated from the solidification cell size was approximately 2.4 × 10⁵ K/s which is almost similar to that produced by laser beam welding. The microstructures of weld zones were almost fully austenitic due to the rapid solidification rate. Despite the fully austenitic microstructure, no hot cracking was found in types 302, 304, 316L, 310S and 347 austenitic stainless steels by SSRSW. Rapid cooling rate in SSRSW made it difficult to predict the microstructures from the conventional Schaeffler diagram.     

激光选区熔化成形工艺对304L不锈钢冲击韧性的影响

目的 了解激光选区熔化(SLM)成形工艺参数对304L不锈钢冲击韧性的影响,从而得到304L不锈钢的最佳成形工艺参数。方法 对激光功率300~340 W,激光扫描速度800~1 500 mm.s^?1条件下的激光选区熔化成形304L不锈钢开展冲击试验,通过表面硬度、微观组织及断口形貌观察对冲击韧性的影响规律进行分析。结果 SLM成形304L不锈钢微观组织为跨越熔池生长形成的不规则柱状晶粒,成形工艺参数对试样表面硬度影响不显著;随着激光功率的增大和激光扫描速度的降低,304L不锈钢断面致密程度提高,孔洞类缺陷尺寸减少且数量减少,冲击韧性增大,冲击功最大值为141.9 J。结论 基于冲击试验结果,在激光体能量密度为100~140 J/mm³的条件下,304L冲击韧性稳定在138 J左右,为SLM成形304L材料的最佳成形参数区间。     

奥氏体不锈钢A-TIG焊工艺研究

目的研究焊接参数对焊缝成形和接头宏观组织的影响。方法改变焊接电流、焊接速度、焊接电压以及活性剂中的一个参数,固定其他3个参数不变,对奥氏体不锈钢进行焊接,分析其接头宏观形貌、组织和力学性能。结果随着电流、电压的增加,焊接接头的熔深和熔宽都在增加,随着焊接速度的增加,焊接接头的熔深和熔宽都在降低,在相同参数下,将不同活性剂下的A-TIG焊接头的熔深和熔宽进行比较,发现涂敷C4活性剂接头熔深最大达到4.29mm,而常规TIG焊接头熔深为1.38mm,涂敷C4活性剂的接头熔深为TIG焊的3.11倍,且熔宽也有所减小。结论 C4活性剂A-TIG最佳工艺参数为:I=175 A,U=14 V,v=80 mm/min,此时能将6 mm板材焊透,成形良好,在此工艺下焊缝等轴晶范围最大,焊缝组织最为细小。相比于TIG焊,涂敷C4活性剂接头强度系数提升4.1%。     

Effects of process parameters on the quality aspects of weld-bead in laser welding of NiTinol sheets

The effects of process variables, like scan speed and laser power, on the quality of bead-on-plate welding of NiTinol sheets were investigated. The measured quality aspects for the weld-bead profile were bead geometry, changes in microstructure, variation of microhardness value along the weld-bead, extent of oxide contamination during welding, Ti/Ni ratio after welding, changes in tensile strength of the welded samples and corrosion behavior of the welded and parent materials. The laser weld-bead profile changed from the shape of a stemless wineglass to that with a prominent leg. Dimensional aspects of weld-bead geometry showed a decreasing trend with increasing scan speed. However, an increasing trend of the same was observed with power. The Ti/Ni ratio on the top surface after welding was found to decrease with scan speed at a particular power. Oxide contamination during welding followed the same pattern of variation as that of the Ti/Ni ratio. Microhardness values gradually increased from the weld centerline to the base metal. Formation of brittle intermetallic compounds reduced the tensile strength of the material after welding. A dual failure mode for the welded sample was observed, whereas a single mode of failure was detected for the parent material. The corrosion properties of the welded samples were better than that of the parent material.     

Keyhole gas tungsten arc welding of AISI 316L stainless steel

Keyhole gas tungsten arc welding (K-TIG) was used to weld AISI 316L stainless steel of mid-thickness (thickness ranging 6–13 mm). 316L plates of 10-mm thickness were jointed using an I-groove in a single pass without filler metal. The effects of welding parameters on the fusion zone profile were investigated. The weld properties, including mechanical properties, microstructure, and corrosion resistance, were analyzed. The primary weld microstructures were austenite and δ-ferrite. The tensile strength and impact property of the weld were almost the same as those of the base metal, while the corrosion resistance of the weld was even better than that of the base metal. High-quality 316L stainless steel joints can be realized through K-TIG welding with high productivity and low processing cost. The practical application of K-TIG welding to join mid-thickness workpieces in industry is well demonstrated and an ideal process for welding AISI 316L of mid-thickness with high efficiency and low cost is presented.     

304L(D)双牌号不锈钢的点腐蚀行为研究

304L(D)双牌号不锈钢产品的制造不可避免焊接过程,焊接接头也是最容易出现失效的位置,而现今304L(D)双牌号不锈钢的性能及使用在国内外均没有系统的研究及相应的标准。采用失重法结合腐蚀SEM形貌观察及蚀坑内部元素EDS谱,从腐蚀速率与化学成分方面分析了304L(D)双牌号不锈钢母材及焊缝的耐点腐蚀性能。结果显示:焊缝处耐点蚀性能最优而母材最次。所得腐蚀数据可以作为今后制定304L(D)双牌号不锈钢使用条件的参考。     

核电管道用316LN不锈钢等离子切割工艺参数优化研究

为解决AP1000核电挤压成形厚壁管道等离子切割表面和切口成形质量差、裂纹多、后续加工量大等问题,本文搭建了大功率等离子切割试验平台,并针对20～100 mm厚核电管道用316LN不锈钢板材,采用控制变量法研究了等离子切割过程中主要工艺参数对切割质量的影响规律。研究结果表明:切割电流175～210 A,切割速度770～830 mm/min,气体压力0.56～0.64 MPa,喷嘴高度7.1～7.8 mm为20 mm厚316LN不锈钢等离子切割质量较好的工艺窗口; 在等离子切割过程中,4个主要工艺参数对切割质量的影响规律曲线均为凹型;切割电流和切割速度之间的相互匹配显著影响切割的表面质量,切割速度对后拖量影响较大,喷嘴高度对切缝宽度及切口成形影响较大。将本文实验方法及工艺参数对切割质量的影响规律应用于60～100 mm厚316LN不锈钢切割工艺参数的优化研究,获得了中厚板等离子高质量切割的工艺窗口,实验验证表明,切割表面质量和切口成形质量均有明显提升,满足后续加工工艺要求,且去除量较小,可为核电厚壁不锈钢管道的高质量切割提供工艺参考。     

A transient finite element simulation of the temperature and bead profiles of T-joint laser welds

Laser welding is a high power density welding technology, which has the capability of focusing the beam power to a very small spot diameter. Its characteristics such as high precision and low and concentrated heat input, helps in minimizing the micro-structural modifications, residual stresses and distortions on the welded specimens. In this study, finite element method (FEM) is adopted for predicting the bead geometry in laser welding of 1.6 mm thick AISI304 stainless steel sheets. A three-dimensional finite element model is used to analyze the temperature distribution in a T-joint weld produced by the laser welding process. Temperature-dependent thermal properties of AISI304 stainless steel, effect of latent heat of fusion, and the convective and radiative boundary conditions are included in the model. The heat input to the model is assumed to be a 3D conical Gaussian heat source. The finite element code SYSWELD, along with a few FORTRAN subroutines, is employed to obtain the numerical results. The T-joint welds are made using a Nd:YAG laser having a maximum power of 2 kW in the continuous wave mode. The effect of laser beam power, welding speed and beam incident angle on the weld bead geometry (i.e. depth of penetration and bead width) are investigated. Finally, the shapes of the molten pool predicted by the numerical analysis are compared with the results obtained through the experimentation. The comparison shows that they are in good agreement.     

Analysis of Discontinuous Bead Formation by PTAW Process

This research investigates the effects of input parameters on discontinuities in bead formation during material deposition by the plasma transferred arc welding (PTAW) process. Experiments based on L27 orthogonal array have been carried out by deposition of stainless steel powder (SS304 L) on stainless steel plate (SS316). Three types of depositions have been observed, namely continuous, partially continuous and discontinuous deposition. A process map has been developed, based upon powder and energy deposition per length, where the above-mentioned three types of depositions are distributed. The discontinuities in the deposition can be overcome by increasing the energy deposition per length or by reducing the powder deposition per length.     

Functional properties of a spark plasma sintered ultrafine-grained 316L steel

A micrometric austenitic stainless steel 316L powder was densified by spark plasma sintering. The process parameters were varied over wide ranges and the impact of such variations on sintered materials was studied through the characterization of their microstructures, densities, hardness and corrosion resistance. For comparison with the properties of traditionally cast 316L, all these investigations were also systematically carried out on as cast samples. The sintered stainless steel produced this way was highly densified, with grains of a micrometric size and the forming process did not induce any residual strain gradients as shown by transmission electronic microscopy analysis. The investigation of the corresponding mechanical properties reveals an enhancement of hardness up to twice the value measured on one sample of as cast 316L. This result is in good agreement with the Hall–Petch formalism. Additionally, in the matter of corrosion behavior, fully dense samples display an enhanced passive state in chloride media compared to as cast material. Spark plasma sintering appears to be an interesting alternative elaboration way of ultrafine 316L stainless steel giving materials with high stress resistance, without strain gradients through the volume, and promising functional properties concerning corrosion behavior.     

Experimental Study of Effects of Process Parameters in Forge-Welding Bimetallic Materials: AISI 316L Stainless Steel and 6063 Aluminium Alloy

Abstract:  Forge welding is a process that can overcome the limitations of friction welding and diffusion bonding for joining dissimilar metals, while still permitting a large amount of plastic deformation. However, the available information about forge welding of dissimilar metals is rare as most studies have focused on joining similar metals. This paper reports an investigation on effects of process parameters in forge-welding bimetallic materials: AISI 316L stainless steel and 6063 aluminium alloy. Experiments were carried out under variations in process parameters, including forge-welding temperature, amount of deformation and forging speed. The results showed that the forge-welding temperature was the most significant process parameter and that this could highly influence the tensile strength of the joint. The quality joint was produced successfully. It could withstand the tensile strength of 111.3 MPa and this was comparable to the findings of other researchers. The diffusion zone of the joint was examined by the optical micrograph and elemental composition analysis. Intermetallic compounds were found in the diffusion zone, which was critical evidence for the validity of the experiment.     

活性剂对铁素体不锈钢A-TIG接头熔深及组织性能研究

目的 选用430铁素体不锈钢作为研究对象,对比研究添加SiO2、TiO2、Cr2O3和未添加活性剂对A-TIG焊接接头显微组织和力学性能的影响。方法 采用3种活性剂涂覆在430铁素体不锈钢上进行A-TIG试验,分析活性剂对接头熔深、组织、性能、元素含量的影响情况。结果 同一焊接工艺参数下,活性剂的加入均能提高焊缝的熔深和深宽比,减少熔宽;其中,SiO2为活性剂时获得了最佳的焊缝几何形貌。同时,对比常规TIG焊接(未添加活性剂)接头的显微组织及力学性能可知,活性剂的加入并未改变焊接接头的显微组织且无新相的生成;活性剂的添加能够细化接头组织,从而使得接头硬度有所提高。结论 活性剂的加入能够显著增加铁素体不锈钢TIG焊缝熔深,改善接头组织,提高接头硬度。