Fatigue strength of welded joints in austenitic Cr-Ni steels

Abstract

High quality corrosion resistant Cr-Ni steels are used in many branches of industry. Constructors are faced with the problem of correctly dimensioning statically and dynamically loaded parts, but have little data available for dynamically loaded welded constructions of high alloy austenitic steels. To close this gap fatigue strength tests were carried out on three different steels and five different welded joints.     

Improving materials and welding technology for dissimilar welded joints in austenitic and pearlitic steels

The first layer of the deposit on the edges of low-alloy steels in producing welded joints with 08Cr18Ni10Ti steel is made using materials based on 02Cr24Ni13 composition (TsL-25L electrodes, welding wire SV-02Cr24Ni13) producing the deposited metal with a reduced carbon content and the required content of the ferritic phase (2–5%). Welding with these materials results in the required parameters of technological properties in welding and efficiency of the austenitic–ferritic deposited metal:

• resistance to solidification cracking;

• preventing the formation of a structure containing very hard brittle compounds;

• preventing the formation of the sigma phase and, correspondingly, embrittlement in tempering;

• the mechanical properties and fatigue strength satisfy the requirements of PNAE G-7-002–86.

Technical documents for the production of these welding materials have been compiled.     

Investigations into the tendency to stress corrosion of joints welded in austenitic and duplex steels

Austenitic stainless steel is welded as a cladding on the inner surface of a reactor pressure vessel (RPV) made of low alloy steel. In order to assess the structural integrity of the RPV precisely, the residual stress distribution caused by weld-overlay cladding and post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) is evaluated. Since the cladding layer is very thin compared to the vessel wall, it is necessary to evaluate the residual stress distribution around the weld fusion line, which can be very steep. In this study, cladded specimens were fabricated using different welding methods. Residual stress measurements using both sectioning and deep hole drilling (DHD) methods were then performed to evaluate the residual stress distributions through the weld fusion line. Three-dimensional thermal-elastic-plastic-creep analyses based on the finite element method were also conducted to evaluate the residual stress caused by weld-overlay cladding and PWHT. It was shown that analytical results provided reasonable agreements on weld residual stress with experimental results. It was also clarified that the main cause of residual stress due to welding and PWHT was the difference of thermal expansion between weld and base metals.     

Observation of type IV cracking in welded joints of high chromium ferritic heat resistant steels

Abstract

Type IV cracking in welded joints of high Cr ferritic heat resistant steels at 923 K is investigated in the present study. First, internal pressure creep tests were performed to investigate the features of cracking at 923 K and at stresses of 108–167 MPa. Results showed that at low stresses cracks occurred in the fine grained heat affected zone (FGHAZ), showing low deformation, a vast amount of creep voids and short creep life: these were identified to be type IV cracks. However, as the stress was increased the crack locations moved further away from the fusion line, the creep void area density decreased, and the slope of the main crack ratio curve increased. At high stress, cracks occurred in the base metal and were identified to be normal cracks. Second, creep tests were carried out on one pass welded specimens to clarify the relationship between the creep property deterioration in the FGHAZ and the weld thermal cycle. Type IV cracking was repeated successfully and results showed good correspondence with the position of cracks among the softened region, the highest creep void area density and the fracture location. Both internally pressurised and one pass welded specimens showed that at low stress the FGHAZ was the weak zone and creep voids played an important role in type IV cracking.     

Intergranular corrosion of welded joints of austenitic stainless steels studied by using an electrochemical minicell

An intergranular corrosion study of welded joints of austenitic stainless steels (AISI 304 and 316L) has been addressed. A specific small-scale electrochemical cell (minicell) has been used. Four different weldment zones have been studied. The electrochemical methods applied were the electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation test and electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation double loop test. These techniques showed that the HAZ was the most critical zone to intergranular corrosion for both materials. The weld metal was susceptible to interdendritic corrosion and the fusion line showed a mixture of intergranular and interdendritic corrosion. The effect of pre- and post-welding heat treatments for AISI 316L was analyzed. The HAZ was again the most critical zone in every heat treatment condition. The results were correlated to the microstructural features of the materials.     

Pitting corrosion of welded joints of austenitic stainless steels studied by using an electrochemical minicell

A pitting corrosion study of welded joints of austenitic stainless steels (AISI 304 and 316L) has been addressed. A specific small-scale electrochemical cell (minicell) has been used. Four different weldment zones have been studied. The electrochemical methods applied were the potentiodynamic anodic polarization test and cyclic potentiodynamic polarization measurements. These techniques showed that the HAZ was the most critical zone for pitting corrosion for both materials. The results were correlated to the microstructural features of the materials. Finally, a comparative study between minicell and lacquer coating techniques has been done. The results show that it is advisable to use the minicell device if reliable results are wanted.     

Analysis of factors affecting type IV cracking in welded joints of high chromium ferritic heat resistant steels

Abstract

In the present work, creep tests on single pass welded joints were carried out to investigate the factors affecting the deterioration of the creep strength of weldments of high Cr heat resistant steels. In creep tests at a temperature of 923 K and stresses of 90 and 120 MPa, creep fracture occurred in the fine grained heat affected zone (FGHAZ) and was identified as type IV cracking. It was found that a peak temperature between Ac₁ and Ac₃ in the FGHAZ caused the observed creep property deterioration. The factors identified as leading to the deterioration are a fine grain structure, low hardness, and large precipitates. Further investigations confirmed the influence of the fine grain structure as a critical factor decreasing the creep rupture time. The hardness difference between the FGHAZ and the base metal is insignificant, especially at 923 K. However, SEM investigations revealed that many large precipitates are distributed on the boundaries of the martensite laths and prior austenite grain boundaries. It is considered that the large precipitates also have a significant influence on the creep strength deterioration.     

High-temperature degradation and protection of ferritic and austenitic steels in steam generators

The useful life of superheaters and reheaters of power stations which use heavy fuel oil is shortened and their continuous service is inhibited by corrosion (fireside) and creep-type problems. The increase of corrosion attack on boilers is caused by the presence of fuel ash deposits containing mainly vanadium, sodium, and sulfur which form low-melting-point compounds. The tubes are exposed to the action of high stresses and high temperatures, producing the so-called “creep damage.” In this work, two kinds of results are reported: lab and field studies using a 2.25Cr-1Mo steel. The laboratory work was in turn divided into two parts. In the first, the steel was exposed to the action of natural ash deposits in oxidant atmospheres at 600 ° for 24 h. In the second part, tensile specimens were creep tested in Na₂SO₄, V₂O₅, and their mixture over a temperature range of 580 to 620 °. In the field work, components of a power station were coated with different types of nickel-and iron-base coatings containing chromium, Fe-Cr, and Fe-Si using the powder flame spraying technique. After testing, the coated tubes were analyzed using electron microscopy. The results showed that all the coating systems had good corrosion resistance, especially those containing silicon or chromium.     

Structure and mechanism of formation of dissimilar welded joints in nuclear power plant made of austenitic and pearlitic steels

The structure and mechanism of the formation of welded joints in pearlitic and austenitic steels in power engineering structures are analyzed. The results of investigations of the crystal structure of metals and metallurgical processes taking place in the welding zone are presented. Recommendations are given for improving the welding technology and welding materials, and the chemical composition of the materials used in these applications is determined more accurately.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of laser welded austenitic high manganese steels

Abstract

The microstructure of laser welded austenitic twinning induced plasticity steel sheets joints was investigated by means of optical microscopy, SEM and electron backscattering diffraction in order to differentiate the fusion zone, heat affected zone and base material, as well as to establish present phases, grain size distribution and grain misorientation distribution caused by the welding process. Measurements of EDX were taken into account to evaluate the effect of Mn segregations. Microhardness measurements and tensile tests were performed to evaluate the mechanical properties of the joints. In addition, the twinning phenomena progress was assessed by investigating the texture evolution in the base material and fusion zone of samples plastically deformed by 5, 10 and 15%. Grain refinement was found in the fusion zone affecting substantially the mechanical properties of the welding, being the most resistant and harder region.     

低碳钢与不锈钢焊接接头弯曲性能的分析

通过对Q235-B和316L异种钢I形和Y形坡口埋弧焊对接接头Q235-B一侧熔合区显微组织和元素分布及显微硬度的观测和分析,指出了在碳素结构钢与不锈钢异种金属的焊接接头中,碳素结构钢一侧出现硬而脆的熔合区;提出了减小熔合区的宽度是提高异种钢焊接接头抗弯曲性能的关键.此外研究了不同焊接工艺对焊接接头抗弯曲性能的影响机制,采用小尺寸的Y形坡口和使用含镍量高的焊丝,既有效地减小了熔合区的宽度,提高了异种钢焊接接头的抗弯曲性能,避免在对接接头双面埋弧焊时发生烧穿焊接缺陷.     

Joint inhomogeneity in dissimilar friction stir welded martensitic and nanostructured ferritic steels

Dissimilar welding between oxide dispersion strengthened ferritic (ODS) steel and reduced activation martensitic steel would be required for constructing the advanced blanket of progressive fusion reactors. In this study, we achieved dissimilar joints by friction stir welding, and aimed to characterise and ameliorate joint inhomogeneity. Main results reveal that the joint inhomogeneity is generated from discrepant microstructural evolutions within the martensitic and ODS ferritic steels. The ODS steel achieves evolution by the dynamic recrystallisation, while the martensitic steel undergoes phase transformation that drastically hardens the stir zone. By a proper post-weld heat treatment, the joint inhomogeneity can be effectively ameliorated due to carbide reprecipitation and stress relief in the joint.     

双相不锈钢焊接接头的耐腐蚀性能

根据母材临界点蚀温度(CPT)的试验结果,利用小试样的腐蚀实验方法研究了奥氏体-铁素体双相不锈钢焊接接头的耐点蚀性能.结果表明,手工电弧焊工艺过程对双相不锈钢材料的耐点蚀性能具有显著的影响,点蚀优先发生在焊缝金属或焊接热影响区中.双相不锈钢材料的耐点蚀性能与材料本身奥氏体和铁素体相比例有关.腐蚀试样的表面状态(粗糙程度)对母材金属的耐点蚀性能有明显的影响.表面越粗糙,耐点蚀性能越差,临界点蚀温度越低.