Effects of post-weld heat treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of friction stir welded joints of 2219-O aluminium alloy

Abstract

Post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) of 2219-O aluminium alloy friction stir welding joints was carried out at solution temperatures of 480, 500 and 540°C for 32 min followed by aging at 130°C for 9 h. The effects of PWHT on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the joints were investigated. Experimental results show that PWHT causes coarsening of the grains in the weld, and the coarsening degree increases with increasing solution temperature. The tensile strength of the heat treated joints increases with increasing solution temperature. The maximum tensile strength can reach 260% that of the base material at the solution temperature of 540°C. PWHT has a significant effect on the fracture locations of the joints. When the solution temperature is lower than 500°C, the joints fracture in the base material; when the temperature is higher than 500°C, the joints fracture in the weld. The change of the fracture locations of joints is attributed to the presence of precipitate free zones beside the grain boundaries and coarsening equiaxed grain structures in the weld.     

Effect of post-weld heat treatment on the microstructure and plastic deformation behavior of friction stir welded 2024

To improve the plasticity of friction stir welded joints for plastic processing applications, post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) of 2024-O aluminum alloy friction stir welding joints was carried out at annealing temperatures from 250 °C to 450 °C with an interval of 50 °C for 2 h, followed by cooling to 200 °C in the furnace. The effect of PWHT on the microstructure and plastic deformation behavior of the joints was investigated. It was found that the fine-equiaxed grains are stable and retained in the nugget of the joints even after annealing at 450 °C for 2 h. However, the grains in the thermo-mechanically affected zone (TMAZ) of the joints become coarse and equiaxed as annealing temperature increases. The plastic deformation of as-welded joint is very heterogeneous. In contrast, the plastic deformation of PWHT joint is relatively homogeneous by both the nugget and the base material showing large deformation. The decrease in elongation of as-welded joints is completely recovered by PWHT. The high ductility of the joint is mainly attributed to the retention of the fine-equiaxed grains in the nugget during PWHT.     

Effect of post-weld heat treatment on microstructure and properties of electron beam welded joint of Ti2AlNb/TC11

Abstract

The present paper reports the influence of post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) on microstructure and properties of electron beam welded dissimilar joint. Ti₂AlNb and TC11 alloys were used to fabricate the joints. Three PWHTs were applied to the welded joints. The structures were analysed using optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy techniques. The results show that weld metal of the fusion zone is mainly composed of α₂ and β phases. As the energy input increases under different PWHTs, the decomposition degree of metastable phases (α′/β) rises, but the tensile strength and impact toughness of the joint reduce. Under each condition, the tensile strength of the joint is higher than that of the TC11 base metal.     

Effect of a post-weld heat treatment on the mechanical and microstructure properties of AA6061 joints welded by the gas metal arc welding cold metal transfer method

This work studies the effect of a post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) on the mechanical and microstructure properties of an AA6061 sample welded using the gas metal arc welding (GMAW) cold metal transfer (CMT) method. The CMT method was used because the method provides spatter-free welding, outstanding gap bridging properties, low heat input and a high degree of process flexibility. The welded samples were divided into as-welded and PWHT samples. The PWHTs used on the samples were solution heat treatment, water quenching and artificial aging. Both welded samples were cut according to the ASTM E8M-04 standard to obtain the tensile strength and the elongation of the joints. The failure pattern of the tensile tested specimens was analysed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A Vickers microhardness testing machine was used to measure the hardness across the joints. From the results, the PWHTs were able to enhance the mechanical properties and microstructure characteristics of the AA6061 joints welded by the GMAW CMT method.     

Influence of post-weld heat treatments on microstructure and mechanical properties of gas tungsten arc maraging steel weldments

Abstract

The response to post-weld heat treatment of an 18%Ni (250 grade) gas tungsten arc weld metal has been investigated. The post-weld heat treatments are (a) direct aging at 480°C/3 h/air cooling, (b) solutionising at 815°C/1 h/air cooling+aging at 480°C/3 h/air cooling and (c) homogenisation at 1150°C/1 h/air cooling+solutionising at 815°C/1 h/air cooling+aging at 480°C/3 h/air cooling. Metallographic characterisation of fusion zone revealed pronounced segregation of titanium and molybdenum along the interdendritic and intercellular boundaries. This led, during subsequent aging, to austenite reversion at temperatures much lower than in wrought (unwelded) material. Solutionised treatment at 815°C does not remove the segregation. Homogenisation treatment (1150°C/1 h/air cooling) succeeded in making the composition become homogenised. Mechanical properties including tensile, hardness and impact toughness were evaluated. Tensile test results showed that directly aged weldments exhibited lower strength but higher ductility than the other cases; this was attributed to the presence of reverted austenite. Homogenisation at 1150°C/1 h/air cooling+solutionising at 815°C/1 h/air cooling+aging at 480°C/3 h/air cooling resulted in optimum tensile properties. A substantial increase in fusion zone toughness was observed after homogenisation+solutionising+aged condition due to a decrease in the content of austenite content compared to the directly aged condition. The reduction in microsegregation by diffusion of alloying elements from cell boundaries to the cell during homogenisation treatment is responsible for the decrease in austenite content.     

Effect of post-weld heat treatment on the interface microstructure of explosively welded titanium–stainless steel composite

In this study, the interface microstructure evolutions of the explosively welded cp-Titanium/AISI 304 stainless steel composites due to heat treatment are presented. The composites were subjected to heat treatment process at temperature ranges of 650–950 °C in argon atmosphere for 1 h. The investigations were carried out by using optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results reveal the presence of reaction layers in the diffusion zone. The compositions of the reaction products were determined by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Furthermore, the composition–penetration plots for Ti, Fe, Cr and Ni across the interface were obtained from EDS microanalysis. Concentration of discontinuities in the profiles indicating the formation of intermetallics in the diffusion zone that were also detected by X-ray diffraction (XRD) method, on the Ti-side of fractured surfaces. The results show that post-heating of the composite layers in these temperatures causes to form different intermetallic phases at the joint interface. Moreover, post-heating increases the width of interfacial layers of the composite.     

Joint properties of friction welded joint between pure magnesium and pure aluminium with post-weld heat treatment

The present paper described the investigation of the joint properties of friction welded joint between pure magnesium (CP-Mg) and pure aluminium (CP-Al) with post-weld heat treatment (PWHT). The joint in as-welded condition fractured from the adjacent region of the weld interface, although that had the same strength as the tensile strength of the CP-Al base metal. This joint had the intermediate layer (interlayer) consisting of intermetallic compound (IMC) on the weld interface, and its thickness was below approximately 1 μm. Most of joints subjected to PWHT autogenously fractured at IMC interlayer and that mainly occurred between Mg₂Al₃ and Mg₁₇Al₁₂ although those layers had a little each other at the fractured surfaces. The IMC interlayer grew to CP-Mg and CP-Al sides, and its thickness increased with increasing heating temperature and/or heating time. The main reasons for the autogenous fracture from the adjacent region of the weld interface of the joint were considered the growth of IMC interlayer of the joint during PWHT process. Furthermore, that fracture of the joint was thought the generating of the thermal stresses in the radial and/or circumferential directions during the cooling stage of PWHT process.     

焊后热处理对AA7204-T4铝合金搅拌摩擦焊接头组织与力学性能的影响

采用搅拌摩擦焊对AA7204-T4铝合金板材进行焊接,研究焊后热处理对FSW接头组织与力学性能的影响。结果表明:焊后(AW)态焊核区平均晶粒尺寸和再结晶分数分别为4.7μm和81.9%,焊后直接人工时效(AA)后二者分别为4.8μm和82.4%,焊后固溶+人工时效(SAA)后分别为5.9μm和86.5%,AA态并未对焊核区的晶粒结构产生明显的影响,而SAA态则使其分别提高了25.5%和5.6%。AW态,AA态和SAA态接头抗拉强度分别为296.6,318.2 MPa和357.4 MPa,AA态对接头力学性能提升有限,而SAA态则有效提升接头力学性能,焊接系数达92.0%。焊后固溶淬火导致接头连接界面"S"线处产生微裂纹,接头断裂于此,且伸长率严重降低。     

Effects of rheocasting and heat treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of A356 alloy

The effects of the rheocasting process and T5 heat treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of A356 alloy were investigated. The results show that the temperature range for the solid-liquid state is roughly between 560 °C and 630 °C, and the solid fraction increases from 0% to 100% with decreasing temperature. The finer microstructure in rheocasting in comparison with the one in conventional casting was attributed to pressure breaking down the secondary dendrite arms, especially for specimens around 600-610 °C. It was proved that rheocasting specimens have improved mechanical properties over the conventional casting ones. Furthermore, the result shows that T5 heat treatment can strengthen A356 alloy, while the plasticity was reduced at the same time.     

Effects of heat treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of extruded AZ80 magnesium alloy

Microstructure evolution of the extruded AZ80 magnesium alloy and different precipitation behavior of β-Mg₁₇Al₁₂ phase in different heat treatment conditions were investigated. Solution treatment caused the dissolution of β-Mg₁₇Al₁₂ phase and the grain coarsening. During aging, discontinuous precipitates were preferentially initiated at some of the grain boundaries and then continuous precipitates appeared in the grain interiors. In the period of direct-aging, discontinuous precipitates formed between the banded structure and no continuous precipitate appeared. After solution and aging treatment, an improved combination of strength and elongation was obtained. The highest strength was achieved for the extruded AZ80 sample after directing-aging treatment.     

热处理对GH4169激光焊接头组织性能的影响

针对2 mm厚的GH4169镍基合金板材进行激光对焊,研究热处理对GH4169激光焊接头组织和性能的影响。采用线切割方法制备激光焊接头试样,对热处理和非热处理激光焊接头进行拉伸实验、硬度测定、OM分析、SEM分析、EDS分析和XRD相分析。实验结果表明:热处理后接头抗拉强度为1372 MPa,延伸率为14%,焊缝平均硬度为473HV;较未热处理接头强度提高52%,延伸率降低71%,硬度提高69%。OM、SEM、EDS和XRD分析表明:对GH4169激光焊接头热处理能细化焊缝晶粒,改善枝晶形态,消除残余应力,析出δ相、γ′相和γ″相,使得焊接接头硬度和强度有所提高。     

Effect of pre- and post-weld heat treatments on the mechanical properties of electron beam welded Ti-6Al-4V alloy

This paper represents a summary of experimental work carried out to find the effect of various pre- and post-weld heat treatments on Ti-6Al-4V alloy. In the as-welded state the samples exhibit about 80% of the tensile ductility and about 90–95% of the impact/fracture toughness of the base metal. Low temperature stress relieving or ageing carried out subsequent to the welding operation improves the tensile properties but decreases the toughness at the fusion zone. Solution treatment followed by welding and ageing or the post-weld solution treatment and ageing treatment leads to only a marginal increase in tensile strength at the expense of toughness at the fusion zone. High temperature annealing of the welded samples does not increase the tensile ductility but improves the toughness at both the fusion zone and the heat affected zone. The above facts and a special burst-pressure test conducted on a gas bottle in the as-EB welded state show that Ti-6Al-4V components can be used without subjecting them to any post-weld heat treatments.     

Effect of post-weld aging treatment on mechanical properties of Tungsten Inert Gas welded low thickness 7075 aluminium alloy joints

This paper reports the influence of post-weld aging treatment on the microstructure, tensile strength, hardness and Charpy impact energy of weld joints low thickness 7075 T6 aluminium alloy welded by Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG). Hot cracking occurs in aluminium welds when high levels of thermal stress and solidification shrinkage are present while the weld is undergoing various degrees of solidification. Weld fusion zones typically exhibit microstructure modifications because of the thermal conditions during weld metal solidification. This often results in low weld mechanical properties and low resistance to hot cracking. It has been observed that the mechanical properties are very sensitive to microstructure of weld metal. Simple post-weld aging treatment at 140 °C applied to the joints is found to be beneficial to enhance the mechanical properties of the welded joints. Correlations between microstructures and mechanical properties were discussed.     

Influence of heat treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of iron-based coating

Iron-based alloys were deposited on the low carbon steel by plasma cladding process. Furnace annealing was conducted at 600 °C for 40 min. Resulting microstructure and phases were observed and investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Effect of post heat treatment on the mechanical properties of coatings was also studied by instrumented indentation technique. It was found that solid solution γ-(Fe, Ni, Cr) and carbide reinforced phases Cr₇C₃ were the main phases of as-cladding coatings while iron carbide became the main carbide reinforced phase for annealed coatings. For all coatings, hardness and reduced elastic modulus showed obvious load dependence, namely decreased with the indentation load increasing. It was found that calculated values of annealed coatings were generally lower than those of as-cladding coatings as a result of the dissolution of the eutectic structure which decreased the effect of dispersion strengthening.     

Effects of heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of AA2618 DC cast alloy

Direct chill (DC) cast ingot plates of AA2618 alloy have been increasingly used for large-mold applications in the plastics and automotive industries. The effects of different heat treatments on the microstructure and mechanical properties of AA2618 DC cast alloy were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and hardness and tensile testing. The as-cast microstructure contained a considerable amount of coarse intermetallic phases, including Al₂CuMg, Al₂Cu, Al₇Cu₄Ni, Al₇Cu₂(Fe,Ni) and Al₉FeNi, resulting in poor mechanical properties. Solution treatment at 530 °C for 5 h dissolved the first three phases into the solid solution and consequently improved the mechanical properties of the alloy. By utilizing the appropriate aging temperature and time, different combinations of strength and ductility could be obtained to fulfill the design requirements of large-mold applications. The strengthening of AA2618 DC cast alloy under the aging conditions studied was caused by GPB zones and S′ precipitates. The evolution of both precipitates in terms of their size and density was observed to have a significant effect on the mechanical properties of the alloy.     

强电场对摩擦焊接头组织与性能的影响

为提高摩擦焊缝金属的变形能力，采用外加电场考察了摩擦焊缝金属的电塑性效应，利用金属组织观察、显微硬度测试及抗拉试验，定量分析了外加强电场对LY12铝合金摩擦焊缝组织与力学性能的影响，结果表明：外加强电场使焊缝金属组织轴向分布梯度减小，等轴性提高；不同焊接压力时，强电场使焊接接头的动态再结晶区宽度有不同程度的增大；在中等摩擦压力作用下，使近轴心线处的动态再结晶区宽度趋干均匀；此外，外加电场使接头焊合区硬度增加，并使焊接接头的硬度分布趋干均匀；采用强规范施焊时，外加电场提高了焊接接头的抗拉强度。     

Factors affecting mechanical properties of resistance spot welds

Abstract

The present paper addresses the factors governing the mechanical performance of low carbon resistance spot welds. Correlations among the process parameters (welding current, welding time, electrode force and holding time), physical spot weld attributes and mechanical performance are analysed. Peak load and energy absorption of spot welds during the tensile shear test are used to describe spot welds performance. It is shown that weld nugget size, electrode indentation, failure mode and strength/ductility of the failure location are the main factors affecting peak load and energy absorption of spot welds.