Microstructure and Fracture Morphology in the Welding Zone of Cr18Mo2 Ferritic Stainless Steel

Microstructure, precipitates and fracture morphology in the weld metal and the heat-affected zone (HAZ) of Cr18Mo2 ferritic stainless steel have been studied by means of metalloscope, SEM,TEM and X-ray diffractometer. Experimental results indicate that crystalline grain coarsening in HAZ is one of the reason resulting in the embrittlement fracture in the welding zone of the ferritic stainless steel. Some precipitates (TiC, TiN and Cr2N) in the steel promote production and development of the brittle cracks. In practical applications. the welding heat input should be as small as possible to prevent embrittlement caused by HAZ grain coarsening.     

Continuous Wave ND:YAG Laser Welding of Sand-Cast ZE41A-T5 Magnesium Alloys

A continuous wave 4 kW Nd:YAG laser system was used to weld 2-mm butt joints of sand-cast ZE41A-T5 magnesium alloys at a power of 2.5 kW, welding speed of 6.0 m/min, and defocusing distance from - 2 to + 3 mm for the material in the machined surface conditions. It was found that the adjustment of defocusing distance greatly influences the establishment of conduction or keyhole mode welding. Conduction welding is obtained at a power density of 4.0 × 10⁵ W/cm². Keyhole welding is reached at a threshold irradiance of 1.5 × 10⁶ W/cm². The fusion zone consists of refined equiaxed grains formed through cellular growth in the Zr-containing magnesium alloys. The partially melted zone is rather narrow, only a few grains wide. No grain growth or coarsening but softening is observed in the heat affected zone (HAZ). The weld defects observed include three main types: imperfect shape, cavities, and weld cracks. The mechanisms of their formations are discussed. In addition, the original cast quality was found to have a significant influence on the formation of defects such as underfill, surface depression, porosity, and burn-through during laser welding.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of a new Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy joints welded by laser beam

A new type of Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy sheets with T6 temper were welded by laser beam welding (LBW). Microstructure characteristics and mechanical properties of the joints were evaluated. Results show that grains in the heat affected zone (HAZ) exhibit an elongated shape which is almost same as the base metal (BM). A non-dendritic equiaxed grain zone (EQZ) appears along the fusion line in the fusion zone (FZ), and grains here do not appear to nucleate epitaxially from the HAZ substrate. The FZ is mainly made up of dendritic equiaxed grains whose boundaries are decorated with continuous particles, identified as the T (AlZnMgCu) phase. Obvious softening occurs in FZ and HAZ, which mainly due to the changes of nanometric precipitates. The precipitates in BM are mainly η′, while plenty of GPI zones exist in FZ and HAZ adjacent to FZ, in the HAZ farther away from FZ, η phase appears. The minimum microhardness of the joint is always obtained in FZ at different times after welding. The ultimate tensile strength of the joint is 471.1 MPa which is 69.7% of that of the BM. Samples of the tensile tests always fracture at the FZ.     

Single pass laser joining of Inconel 718 superalloy with filler

Abstract

Microstructure and mechanical property of CO₂ laser beam welded IN 718 superalloy were studied by electron microscopy and hardness testing. The use of a welding filler wire produced a sound fusion zone with no cracking but grain boundary microfissuring occurred in the heat affected zone (HAZ) and was observed to be significantly influenced by pre-weld heat treatment and laser welding speed. Crack-free weld was produced by a pre-weld heat treatment that minimised non-equilibirum grain boundary boron segregation and inhibited grain growth. While post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) reduced the difference between the hardness values of the base alloy, HAZ and the fusion zone, it resulted in increased HAZ cracking, which was likely aided by pre-existing cracks. The PWHT cracking was, however, avoided by subjecting pre-weld material to the heat treatment condition that produces crack-free weld during welding process.     

Influence of Heat Input on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Laser Welding GH4169 Bolt Assembly—Numerical and Experimental Analysis

By conducting the numerical and experimental analysis, the influence of heat input on the microstructures and mechanical properties of laser welding GH4169 bolt assembly is systematically investigated. The weld formation, temperature field, and residual stress distribution during laser welding by using the finite element modeling are consistent with experimental results. The numerical simulation results show that the increase of heat input imparts lower residual stresses and higher temperature gradient. During the process of laser welding, the steepest temperature gradient and the peak residual stress arise in the fusion zone (FZ). In addition, the dissolution of γ″ and γ′ toward the fusion line increases in heat affected zone (HAZ), but only Laves phase is observed in FZ. With increasing heat input from 24 to 48 J mm⁻¹, the ultimate tensile strength of welded joints decreases. Both the lowest microhardness values and tensile failure of GH4169 alloy laser welded joint are in FZ. Herein, it is that the relationship among the heat input, microstructures, and mechanical properties of GH4196 bolt assembly in laser welding is systematically established, which will be of guiding significance for the selection of welding parameters in aerospace.     

Effects of the Process Parameters on Austenitic Stainless Steel by TIG-Flux Welding

The effects of the process parameters of TIG （tungsten inset gas）-flux welding on the welds morphology, angular distortion, ferrite content and hot cracking in austenitic stainless steel were investigated. Autogenous TIG welding process was applied to the type 304 stainless steel through a thin layer of activating flux to produce a bead on plate welded joint. TiO2, SiO2, Fe2O3, Cr2O3, ZnO and MnO2 were used as the activating fluxes. The experimental results indicated that the TIG-flux welding can increase the weld depth/width ratio and reduce the HAZ （heat affected zone） range, and therefore the angular distortion of the weldment can be reduced. It was also found that the retained ferrite content within the TIG-flux welds is increased, and has a beneficial effect in reducing hot cracking tendency for stainless steels of the austenitic type weld metals. A plasma column constriction increases the current density at the anode spot and then a substantial increase in penetration of the TIG-flux welds can be obtained.     

Abnormal distribution of microhardness in tungsten inert gas arc butt-welded AZ61 magnesium alloy plates

In this study, the effects of heat input on the distribution of microhardness of tungsten inert gas (TIG) arc welded hot-extruded AZ61 magnesium alloy joints were investigated. The results show that with an increase of heat input, the distributions of microhardness at the top and bottom of the welded joints are different because they are determined by both the effect of grain coarsening and the effect of dispersion strengthening. With an increase of the heat input, the microhardness of the heat-affected zone (HAZ) at the top and bottom of welded joints and the fusion zone (FZ) at the bottom of welded joints decreased gradually, while the microhardness of the FZ at the top of welded joints decreased initially and then increased sharply. The reason for the abnormal distribution of microhardness of the FZ at the top of the welded joints is that this area is close to the heat source during welding and then large numbers of hard β-Mg₁₇(Al,Zn)₁₂ particles are precipitated. Hence, in this case, the effect of dispersion strengthening dominated the microhardness.     

Resistance spot welding of AISI 430 ferritic stainless steel: Phase transformations and mechanical properties

The paper aims at investigating the process–microstructure–performance relationship in resistance spot welding of AISI 430 ferritic stainless steel. The phase transformations which occur during weld thermal cycle were analyzed in details, based on the physical metallurgy of welding of the ferritic stainless steels. It was found that the microstructure of the fusion zone and the heat affected zone is influenced by different phenomena including grain growth, martensite formation and carbide precipitation. The effects of welding cycle on the mechanical properties of the spot welds in terms of peak load, energy absorption and failure mode are discussed.     

Microstructure and properties of the laser butt welded 1.5-mm thick T2 copper joint achieved at high welding speed

Laser welding of highly reflective materials, such as copper, has suffered problems such as spatter, underfill and undercut for a long time. This work analyzed the associated mechanism and suggested that appearance and integrity of laser welded copper joint could be improved by conducting the welding process at a high welding speed which is slightly below the critical welding speed for full-penetration welding at the specified laser power. The microstructure, mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of the T2 copper joint achieved under high welding speed were tested. Results show that copper joint and base material (BM) have similar electrical conductivity, the weld fusion zone (FZ) and the heat affected zone (HAZ) are softened; the tensile strength and elongation of the joint are approximately 20% and 84% below those of the BM respectively. The joint breaks near the interface between the longitudinal columnar grain structures (LC) growing along welding direction at the FZ center, and the horizontal columnar grain structures (HC) growing perpendicular to the welding direction at other area of FZ. Degradation of the mechanical properties of copper joint is attributed to the softening of the heated zone and the big angle between the growth directions of LC and HC.     

The relationship between atomic partitioning and corrosion resistance in the weld-heat affected zone microstructures of UNS S32304 duplex stainless steel

Wrought material as well as physically simulated welding heat affected zone (HAZ) samples of an UNS S32304 duplex stainless steel were subjected to electrochemical corrosion tests and electron microscopy characterization. An impaired corrosion resistance of the HAZ microstructures compared to the wrought material microstructure was observed. Calphad-based numerical simulation of phase transformations and solute redistribution taking place during welding provided an explanation of the observed corrosion behavior. The poor corrosion resistance of the HAZ microstructures studied was mainly attributed to a decrease in corrosion resistance of ferritic grains after welding, which exhibited lower chromium content than ferritic grains in the wrought material.     

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Fiber Laser Welded GH3535 Superalloy

As a primary material of the thorium molten salt reactor(TMSR) that is a suitable candidate reactor of the Generation IV nuclear reactors, GH3535 superalloy was successfully welded. The effect of laser beam welding(LBW) on microstructure evolution of fusion zone(FZ) and heat affected zone(HAZ), such as element segregation, precipitate behavior and grain evolution, was investigated. The microhardness and tensile properties were tested and discussed. The results of microstructure evolution showed that a number of fine M_6C-y eutectic phases precipitated at solidification grain boundaries and interdendritic region in FZ. Compared to base metal zone(BMZ), the grain size of HAZ has no obvious change. While a few of M_6C-y eutectic phases were observed in partially melted zone(PMZ) of HAZ. The results of microhardness indicated that the hardness of FZ was higher than that of HAZ and BMZ. The results of tensile test showed that the ultimate tensile strength of joints at room temperature, 650 and 700?C were98%, 97% and 99% of that of BM, respectively. All the tensile specimens of joints failed in BMZ rather than in PMZ where M6 C carbides had been transformed into M_6C-y eutectic phases.     

Comparison of creep behaviour of 2.25Cr–1Mo/9Cr–1Mo dissimilar weld joint with its base and weld metals

Abstract

Evaluation of the creep behaviour of 2.25Cr–1Mo and 9Cr–1Mo ferritic steel base metals, 9Cr–1Mo steel weld metal, and 2.25Cr–1Mo/9Cr–1Mo ferritic–ferritic dissimilar weld joints has been carried out at 823 K in the stress range 100–260 MPa. The weld joint was fabricated by shielded metal arc welding using basic coated 9Cr–1Mo electrodes. Investigations of the microstructure and hardness variations across the joint in the as welded, post-weld heat treated (973 K/1 h), and creep tested conditions were performed. The heat affected zone (HAZ) in both the steels consisted of a coarse prior austenitic grain region, a fine prior austenitic grain region, and an intercritical structure. In the post-weld heat treated condition, a white etched soft decarburised zone in 2.25Cr–1Mo steel base metal and a black etched hard carburised zone in 9Cr–1Mo steel weld metal around the weld fusion line developed. Hardness troughs also developed in the intercritical HAZ regions of both the steels. The width of the carburised and decarburised zones and hardness differences of these zones were found to increase with creep exposure. The 9Cr–1Mo steel weld metal showed higher creep strength compared to both the base metals. The 9Cr–1Mo steel base metal exhibited better creep resistance than the 2.25Cr–1Mo steel base metal at lower applied stresses. The dissimilar joint revealed lower creep rupture strength than both the base metals and weld metal. The creep strain was found to concentrate in the decarburised zone of 2.25Cr–1Mo steel and in the intercritical HAZ regions of both the steels. Creep failure in the stress range examined occurred in the intercritical HAZ of 2.25Cr–1Mo steel even though this region showed higher hardness than the decarburised zone. Extensive creep cavitation and cracks were observed in the decarburised zone.     

7075高强铝合金激光填丝焊接组织与力学性能研究

采用光纤激光器对4mm厚的7075铝合金进行激光填丝焊接,对焊接接头的显微组织、相结构、断口形貌、力学性能进行观察和分析。结果表明:焊缝(FZ)边缘组织为柱状枝晶组织,焊缝中心为等轴晶组织;热影响区(HAZ)保留了母材(BM)的轧制长条状形态,但晶粒有所长大。母材的相组成主要为α-Al固溶体、S-Al_2CuMg强化相和η-MgZn_2强化相,焊缝无强化相析出。焊缝区硬度值为各区中最低,热影响区显微硬度呈阶梯式增长。焊接速度为2~4m/min的接头拉伸试样均在焊缝处断裂,抗拉强度最大为母材的67.5%。接头拉伸试样均出现了颈缩现象,断口由大量的等轴状韧窝构成,为韧性断裂。     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of resistance spot welded dissimilar thickness DP780/DP600 dual-phase steel joints

In this study, resistance spot welding (RSW) experiments were performed in order to evaluate the microstructure and mechanical properties of single-lap joints between DP780 and DP600. The results show that the weld joints consist of three regions including base metal (BM), heat affected zone (HAZ) and fusion zone (FZ). The grain size and martensite volume fractions increase in the order of BM, HAZ and FZ. The hardness in the FZ is significantly higher than hardness of base metals. Tensile properties of the joints were described in terms of the failure modes and static load-carrying capabilities. Two distinct failure modes were observed during the tensile shear test of the joints: interfacial failure (IF) and pullout failure (PF). The FZ size plays a dominate role in failure modes of the joints.     

Tem observation and fracture morphology in the cghaz of a new 0cr18mo2ti ferritic stainless steel

Microstructure, precipitates and fracture morphology in the coarse grained heat-affected zone CGHAZ) of a new high-purity 0Cr18Mo2Ti ferritic stainless steel were studied by means of optical metallography, SEM, TEM, X-ray diffractometer, etc. Experimental results indicated that grain coarsening resulted in brittle fracture in the CGHAZ of 0Cr18Mo2Ti steel. The reduction of impact toughness in the CGHAZ due to change of cooling rate can be attributed to the increase of nitrides (TiN, Cr₂N, etc). These nitrides in the CGHAZ promote initiation and propagation of brittle cracks. The precipitated Cr₂N nitrides in the grain boundaries decrease impact toughness in the CGHAZ of 0Cr₁₈Mo₂Ti steel by promoting crack initiation. In practical applications, the welding heat input (E) should be as low as possible to prevent toughness reduction in the CGHAZ.     

Effect of heat input on the microstructure and mechanical properties of gas tungsten arc welded AISI 304 stainless steel joints

Influence of heat input on the microstructure and mechanical properties of gas tungsten arc welded 304 stainless steel (SS) joints was studied. Three heat input combinations designated as low heat (2.563 kJ/mm), medium heat (2.784 kJ/mm) and high heat (3.017 kJ/mm) were selected from the operating window of the gas tungsten arc welding process (GTAW) and weld joints made using these combinations were subjected to microstructural evaluations and tensile testing so as to analyze the effect of thermal arc energy on the microstructure and mechanical properties of these joints. The results of this investigation indicate that the joints made using low heat input exhibited higher ultimate tensile strength (UTS) than those welded with medium and high heat input. Significant grain coarsening was observed in the heat affected zone (HAZ) of all the joints and it was found that the extent of grain coarsening in the heat affected zone increased with increase in the heat input. For the joints investigated in this study it was also found that average dendrite length and inter-dendritic spacing in the weld zone increases with increase in the heat input which is the main reason for the observable changes in the tensile properties of the weld joints welded with different arc energy inputs.     

Carbide precipitates and mechanical properties of medium Mn steel joint with metal inert gas welding

Medium Mn steel was metal inert gas(MIG)welded with NiCrMo-3 and 307Si filler wires.The effect of filler wires on the microstructure and mechanical properties of joint was investigated,and the carbide precipitates were contrastively discussed.The results revealed that the microstructure of weld metal,heat-affected zone and base metal are austenite.Obvious grain coarsening occurred in the heat-affected zone(HAZ),and the maximum grain size grew up to 160 pm.In HAZ,C and Cr segregated at grain boundaries,the carbides was identified as Cr7C3.The dispersive(Nb,Mo)C phase was also found in weld metal with NiCrMo-3 filler wire.All the welded joints failed in HAZ during tensile tests.The tensile strength of welded joint with NiCrMo-3 filler wire was 675 MPa,which is much higher than that with 307Si filler wire.In comparison to base metal,higher microhardness and lower impact toughness were obtained in HAZ for these two welded joints,which was attributed to the precipitation of Cr7C3 phase and grain coarsening.The impact toughness around the fusion line is the worst for these two welded joints.     

Characterizations of 21-4N to 4Cr9Si2 stainless steel dissimilar joint bonded by electric-resistance-heat-aided friction welding

A new welding process, electric-resistance-heat-aided friction welding (ERHAFW), was introduced in this study. To further improve the joint quality and energy-saving, electric resistance welding was combined with the conventional continuous-drive friction welding. 21-4N (austenitic stainless steel) and 4Cr9Si2 (martensitic stainless steel) valve steel rods of 4 mm diameter were used as base metals. The results show that electric-resistance-heat-aided friction welding can be applied to join thin rods within a relatively short time, which is very difficult for conventional friction welding (FW). The microstructure of ERHAFW bonded 21-4N to 4Cr9Si2 presents non-uniform across the joint. Different structure zones are observed from the weld line to both sides, which are the weld center, thermo-mechanically affected zone (TMAZ) and heat affected zone (HAZ). These regions exhibit different structures owing to the difference in the thermophysical and mechanical properties of these two steels under the fast heating and cooling during welding. The variation of microhardness in the joint is attributed to the microstructure change. The higher microhardness is obtained in the weld center and TMAZ of 4Cr9Si2 corresponding to the presence of fine tempered martensite and carbides.     

Experimental Investigation on the Performance of Armour Grade Q&T Steel Joints Fabricated by Flux Cored Arc Welding with Low Hydrogen Ferritic Consumables

Quenched and Tempered(Q&T)steels are widely used in the construction of military vehicles due to its high strength to weight ratio and high hardness.These steels are prone to hydrogen induced cracking(HIC) and softening in the heat affected zone(HAZ)after welding.The use of austenitic stainless steel(ASS) consumables to weld the above steel was the only available remedy to avoid HIC because of higher solubility for hydrogen in austenitic phase.Recent studies revealed that low hydrogen ferritic(LHF)steel con...     

焊接参数对铁素体不锈钢搅拌摩擦焊接头组织及性能的影响

对4mm厚T4003铁素体不锈钢进行搅拌摩擦焊接工艺实验,研究焊接参数对接头组织特征、硬度分布及常温和低温冲击韧性的影响。结果表明:接头搅拌区和热力影响区由铁素体和马氏体双相组织构成;接头搅拌区组织沿试样厚度方向存在非均质性,且随转速的降低及焊接速率的增加越发显著;转速从150r/min增加至250r/min,前进侧热力影响区组织呈现小梯度过渡趋势,无明显变形拉长特征。焊缝硬度分布相对均匀,其最高硬度为290HV,约为母材的1.87倍。焊接参数和温度对接头的冲击吸收功有较大影响:常温(20℃)下,热影响区为母材的90%～92%,搅拌区为母材的85%～103%;低温(-20℃)下,热影响区为母材的87%～97%,搅拌区为母材的82%～95%,表明焊缝区仍具有较好强韧匹配。