Liquation cracking in partial penetration aluminium welds: assessing tendencies to liquate,crack and backfill

Abstract

Aluminium alloys are susceptible to liquation cracking in the partially melted zone (PMZ), where grain boundary liquation occurs during welding. Alloys 2024, 6061 and 7075 were gas-metal arc welded with fillers 1100 and 4043, and liquation cracking near the weld root was examined. Curves of temperature (T) versus solid fraction (f_S), based on the Scheil equation for Al-Cu-Mg-Mn-Si-Zn alloys, were calculated for the solidifying PMZ and weld metal at the fusion boundary. Judging from the freezing temperature range and the liquid fraction, these curves suggested that liquation decreases in the order of 7075, 2024 and 6061, consistent with experiments. They also suggested that 1100 increases the weld metal f_S, thus promoting liquation cracking (by strengthening the solidifying and contracting weld metal that pulls the PMZ) and discouraging backfilling (by reducing the interdendritic liquid), while 4043 does the opposite except during PMZ terminal solidification in 7075 and 2024. These are consistent with experiments.     

Metallographic and OIM study of weld cracking in GTA weld build-up of polycrystalline,directionally solidified and single crystal Ni based superalloys

Abstract

The repair of gas turbine components is of importance both commercially and scientifically to ensure cost effective repair schemes that will extend the lives of hot end components such as blades and stators. The present communication reports the results of a metallographic and orientation imaging microscopy study of weld cracking observed in the gas tungsten arc repair welds of a polycrystalline (IN738LC), a directionally solidified (Rene 80) and a proprietary single crystal (SX) alloy. The three alloys were welded with low, intermediate and high strength weld fillers, using a weld build-up approach rather than a conventional weld repair of a through thickness crack. This procedure would be applicable for example to worn area on the tips of turbine blades. Inhomogeneous initial microstructures and those from solidification processes led to extensive heat affected zone microfissuring in the IN738LC alloy, associated with MC carbide liquation, liquation of gamma prime (γ′), segregation of boron and strain effects from precipitation of γ′ in both single and double pass welds. As observed previously in a V shaped weld preparation, the extent of microfissuring in alloy IN738LC increased substantially from the use of the low and intermediate strength weld fillers, to extensive heat affected zone microfissuring by using the high strength IN738 filler. In the directionally solidified Rene 80 welds, due to the reduction in grain boundary area per unit volume, only minor heat affected zone cracking was observed, while the SX alloy did not crack at all. The absence of any cracks in the SX alloy welds despite the presence of stray grains in the fusion zone appears to be related to reduced stress levels in the welds due to the choice of welding technique and the welding parameters.     

Microcracking in multipass weld metal of alloy 690 Part 1 – Microcracking susceptibility in reheated weld metal

Abstract

Microcracking behaviour in the gas tungsten arc multipass weld metal of alloy 690 was investigated. The majority of microcracks occurred within about 300 μm from the fusion line of the subsequent weld bead and propagated along the solidification boundaries in the multipass weld metal. The morphology of the crack surface indicated the characteristic texture of ductility dip cracking. The microcracking susceptibility of the reheated weld metal was evaluated via the spot Varestraint test using three different filler metals having varying contents of impurity elements such as P and S. Microcracking occurring in the spot Varestraint tests consisted predominantly of ductility dip cracking, with a small amount of liquation cracking. The ductility dip cracking temperature range was about 1350–1600 K in the weld metal FF1, and narrowed in the order of weld metals FF1>FF3>FF5. The ductility dip cracking susceptibility was reduced with decreasing contents of impurity elements in the filler metal. It was concluded that the amount of (P + S) in the filler metal should be reduced as much as possible (to about 30 ppm in total) to suppress microcracking in the multipass weldment.     

Microcracking in multipass weld metal of alloy 690 Part 3 – Prevention of microcracking in reheated weld metal by addition of La to filler metal

Abstract

The effect of addition of La to a filler metal on microcracking (ductility dip cracking) in the multipass weld metal of alloy 690 was investigated with the aim of improving its microcracking susceptibility. The susceptibility to ductility dip cracking in the reheated weld metal could be greatly improved by adding 0·01–0·02 wt-%La to the weld metal. Conversely, excessive La addition to the weld metal led to liquation and solidification cracking in the weld metal. Hot ductility of the weld metal at the cracking temperature was greatly improved by adding 0·01–0·02 wt-%La to the weld metal, implying that the ductility dip cracking susceptibility was decreased as a result of the desegregation of impurity elements of P and S to grain boundaries due to the scavenging effect of La. The liquation and solidification cracking resulting from excessive addition of La to the weld metal is attributed to the formation of liquefiable Ni–La intermetallic compound. A multipass welding test confirmed that microcracks in the multipass weldment were completely prevented by using a filler metal containing an addition of 0·01 wt-%La.     

Gas tungsten arc welding studies on similar and dissimilar combinations of Al-Zn-Mg alloy RDE 40 and Al-Li alloy 1441

Abstract

The present study is concerned with gas tungsten arc welding of two high strength aluminium alloys, namely, an Al-Zn-Mg alloy (RDE 40) and an Al-Li based alloy of Russian grade 1441. One of the critical requirements of these two alloys is that they should be weldable. In the present work, weldability aspects of these alloys were studied in terms of solidification cracking tendency, microstructure, tensile properties, and microhardness across the welds. These studies were extended to dissimilar welds between RDE 40 and 1441 produced via conventional gas tungsten arc (GTA) welding as well as pulsed current GTA welding. It was found that RDE 40 welds were less sensitive to solidification cracking and weld metal porosity compared with 1441 alloy. The superior weldability of RDE 40 was related to the equiaxed nature of the fusion zone and a lower sensitivity to moisture pickup. It was possible to produce RDE 40-1441 welds without defects. Pulsed current welding of RDE 40 to 1441 showed improved mechanical properties compared with conventional GTA welding, and these were related to the refinement of the fusion zone microstructure.     

Experimental and numerical analysis of solidification cracking behaviour in fibre laser welding of 6013 aluminium alloy

Abstract

Experimental observation and numerical modelling were employed to investigate the solidification cracking behaviour during fibre laser welding of 6013 aluminium alloy. The solidification cracking initiation location and propagation path were studied using a high speed camera system and via metallurgical analysis. A three-dimensional thermomechanical finite element model of fibre laser welding of aluminium alloys was developed, which considered cylindrical volumetric heat source, temperature dependent material properties, solidification shrinkage and stress relaxation in the weld molten pool. The transient evolution and distribution of mechanical strain in the brittle temperature range (BTR) were analysed in detail to find the factors which drove the crack initiation and propagation. The results showed that the solidification cracking initiated near the fusion line and then propagated along the centreline of the weld, which was the result of the strain distribution characteristic in BTR.     

Corrosion properties of Nd:YAG laser-GMA hybrid welded AA6061 Al alloy and its microstructure

The paper presents the corrosion behaviour of the Nd:YAG laser-gas metal arc (GMA) welds of AA6061-T6 alloy. The laser-GMA hybrid welding enhances the corrosion susceptibility of AA6061 alloy. The surface morphology observation and composition analysis were investigated by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. An increasing of the precipitate phase is observed in the weld fusion zone (WFZ). The WFZ suffers more severe pitting and cracks are associated with pitting. It is proposed that the increased precipitate phase increases the galvanic corrosion couples and results in the aggravation of pitting and cracking in the WFZ.     

Hot cracking of welds on heat treatable aluminium alloys

Abstract

The Spot Varestraint test was used to evaluate the hot cracking susceptibility of several aluminium alloys namely 6061-T6, 6061-T6 (H), 7075-T6, 7075-T6 (H). The effects of augment strain, the number of thermal cycles and cold working (rolling) on the cracking susceptibility were investigated, and the total crack length was used to evaluate the hot cracking susceptibility. The results indicate that the number of thermal cycles is irrelevant to the hot cracking susceptibility in the weld fusion zone, but does affect this susceptibility in the heat affected zone (HAZ). More thermal cycles correspond to larger hot cracks in the HAZ, especially in the weld metal HAZ. The hot cracking susceptibility of materials increased with augment strain in both the fusion zone and the HAZ. Cold working of the materials can reduce their hot cracking susceptibility. The hot cracking susceptibility of 7075-T6 aluminium alloys is higher than that of 6061-T6. There was significant Cu segregation in the HAZ of 7075-T6 aluminium alloy, resulting in a higher susceptibility to hot cracking in this zone.     

Control of weld composition when welding high strength aluminium alloy using the tandem process

Abstract

A new cost effective process for generating different weld element compositions has been examined. Utilising tandem welding technology, different series aluminium filler wires were mixed in a single weld pool with the result that the composition of the principal alloy elements, copper and magnesium were accurately controlled. Thermodynamic modelling was then used to predict an optimum weld bead composition for eliminating solidification cracking when welding Al2024. In order to validate the predicted target composition, the tandem process was used to control the composition of the weld bead. The presented results show that using this system to deposit a controlled ternary composition weld, solidification cracking was eliminated when welding highly constrained test pieces. In contrast, cracking was evident when using commercially available binary filler wires under the same conditions.     

Effects of base and filler chemistry and weld techniques on equiaxed zone formation in Al–Zn–Mg alloy welds

Abstract

Equiaxed zone (EQZ) formation in Al–Zn–Mg alloy welds as affected by base metal, filler metal chemistry and weld techniques is studied. Filler metal chemistry and welding techniques have great influence on the formation of EQZ microstructure as base metal composition has. In an effort to characterise the equiaxed grain zone formation in Al–Zn–Mg alloy welds two commercial Al alloys AA7018 and RDE40 were selected. Gas tungsten arc welding in continuous current, pulsed current and arc oscillation mode were applied to weld the base materials. The influence of Sc containing fillers have been studied and compared with the commercial filler material. Mechanical and metallurgical characterisation were carried out in the EQZ. Intergranular corrosion in EQZ was studied according to ASTM G 110-92. Results reveals that RDE40 with low solute contents showed wider EQZ but relatively better corrosion and mechanical properties compared to AA7018 EQZ. Gas tungsten arc welding in pulsed and arc oscillation mode fusion boundary region exhibits better corrosion and mechanical properties compared to continuous current mode welds. Addition of Sc to the AA5556 filler combined with pulsed mode resulted in elimination of EQZ, better corrosion and mechanical properties compared to welds made with conventional AA5556 filler and also the presence of Sc within the EQZ so called unmixed zone has been observed.     

预置镍基合金片对异种钢UNGW接头组织及性能的影响

研究了预置镍基合金片对15CrMo/1Cr18Ni9Ti异种钢超窄间隙焊接接头组织及性能的影响。结果表明,预置镍基合金片厚度小于0.6 mm时,15CrMo熔合线附近焊缝区部分区域以A模式凝固并形成奥氏体胞状晶,而其它区域仍以FA模式凝固,其组织为等轴晶奥氏体+枝晶状铁素体,并且焊缝中心无凝固裂纹形成。预置0.9~1.2 mm厚的镍基合金片时,焊缝中心因镍偏聚而以A模式凝固,形成粗大的奥氏体柱状枝晶,并有凝固裂纹形成。预置镍基合金片厚度在0.6~0.9 mm时,可使15CrMo熔合线附近焊缝区的Ni质量分数比填充金属(ER347L)的提高约2%,明显比未预置镍基合金片的接头具有更好的抑制碳扩散效果,但当镍基合金片厚度在0.3~1.2 mm范围内变化时接头抑制碳扩散的效果并无明显变化。焊态的异种钢接头不均匀混合区内存在马氏体层,而热时效后在熔合线附近会形成一定宽度的富碳硬化区及贫碳软化区。     

焊丝中Si元素含量对铝合金接头裂纹敏感性的影响规律及机理

使用扫描电镜、能谱、温度场实时采集等测试方法,研究了焊丝中Si含量对AA6063铝合金GMAW焊接头热裂纹敏感性的影响规律及机理. 结果表明,当焊丝为纯铝时,鱼骨试样的焊缝中心会出现细长的焊接裂纹;当焊丝中的Si含量为4.5% ~ 6%时,裂纹的长度变短,但是开裂距离明显增加;当焊丝中的Si含量达到11% ~ 13%时,试样焊缝无裂纹出现. 随着Si含量的不断提高,合金易出现裂纹的凝固温度区间先增大后减小;焊丝中Si含量的不同还会影响凝固后期金属液的流动性,使得焊缝晶界处的物相成分和形态都有明显的区别;同时,Si含量的提高会使得接头的冷却速度先增加后减小,从而导致应力状态改变,热裂纹敏感性先升高后降低.     

Fe_3Al与18-8钢钨极氩弧焊接头的裂纹及断裂分析

采用填丝钨极氩弧焊(TIG)对Fe3Al与18-8钢进行焊接,用扫描电镜和电子探针分析Fe3Al/18-8钢接头的微观裂纹及断口特征,用透射电镜分析接头区的位错形态.结果表明,Fe3Al/18-8钢接头裂纹起源于Fe3Al侧熔合区,断口形态以穿晶解理断裂为主,解理面上分布着由解理台阶组成的河流花样.焊缝区的断口由部分剪切韧窝构成,焊缝区的韧性优于熔合区.Fe3Al侧熔合区分布有不同密度的位错,是Fe3Al/18-8钢接头潜在裂纹源.微裂纹在应力作用下向Fe3Al热影响区扩展,与主裂纹汇合后,发生剪切断裂.     

Effect of Postweld Aging Treatment on Fatigue Behavior of Pulsed Current Welded AA7075 Aluminum Alloy Joints

This article reports the effect of postweld aging treatment on fatigue behavior of pulsed current welded AA 7075 aluminum alloy joints. AA7075 aluminum alloy (Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy) has gathered wide acceptance in the fabrication of light weight structures requiring high strength-to weight ratio, such as transportable bridge girders, military vehicles, road tankers, and railway transport systems. The preferred welding processes of AA7075 aluminum alloy are frequently gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) process and gas metal arc welding (GMAW) process due to their comparatively easier applicability and better economy. Weld fusion zones typically exhibit coarse columnar grains because of the prevailing thermal conditions during weld metal solidification. This often results inferior weld mechanical properties and poor resistance to hot cracking. In this investigation, an attempt has been made to refine the fusion zone grains by applying pulsed current welding technique. Rolled plates of 10 mm thickness have been used as the base material for preparing multipass welded joints. Single V butt joint configuration has been prepared for joining the plates. The filler metal used for joining the plates is AA 5356 (Al-5Mg (wt.%)) grade aluminum alloy. Four different welding techniques have been used to fabricate the joints and they are: (i) continuous current GTAW (CCGTAW), (ii) pulsed current GTAW (PCGTAW), (iii) continuous current GMAW (CCGMAW), and (iv) pulsed current GMAW (PCGMAW) processes. Argon (99.99% pure) has been used as the shielding gas. Rotary bending fatigue testing machine has been used to evaluate fatigue behavior of the welded joints. Current pulsing leads to relatively finer and more equi-axed grain structure in GTA and GMA welds. Grain refinement is accompanied by an increase in fatigue life and endurance limit. Simple postweld aging treatment applied to the joints is found to be beneficial to enhance the fatigue performance of the welded joints.     

Mechanical characterization of friction stir spot microwelds

Microstructures and failure mechanisms of friction stir spot microwelds in 300-μm thin sheet of aluminum 1050 alloy were investigated. As an alternative to conventional soldering and welding in joining thin metals for electronic, medical and microdevices, friction stir welding may be utilized in order to limit the excessive heat damage. Transmission electron microscopy micrographs of the cross sections of friction stir spot microwelds in lap-shear specimens were examined. These microwelds showed the failure mode of nugget pullout under lap-shear loading conditions. The experimental observations suggested that under lap-shear loading conditions, the failure was initiated near the possible original notch tip in the stir zone and the failure propagated along the circumference of the nugget to final fracture. Microindentation hardness data of base metal, heat affected zone, thermal-mechanical affected zone and stir zone were obtained. The interface between the heat affected zone and the thermal-mechanical affected zone was the softest region, where the cracks of friction stir spot microwelds in the lap-shear specimens under the loadings initiated and leaded to fracture of the specimens.     

Effect of energy transfer modes on solidification cracking in pulsed laser welding

Abstract

In this study, solidification cracking in pulsed laser welding of fully austenitic, AISI Type 316 stainless steel has been analysed at different energy transfer modes. The pulse parameters have been selected appropriately to obtain conduction, transition and keyhole mode welds. Conduction and transition mode welds exhibit higher susceptibility to cracking than keyhole mode welds. It is observed that both heat input and energy transfer mode affect the cooling rate and hence influence solidification cracking. Microstructures of the fusion zone have been analysed, and the cooling rate experienced by the weld is estimated from the mean cell size in the weld. It is found that the critical cooling rate below which cracking does not occur is ～10⁴ K s^??1.     

热影响区连续孔隙状裂纹的表征及产生机理

以凝固温度范围极宽的合金为对象,研究焊接热影响区的液化现象,表征该区域中出现的连续孔隙状裂纹,并分析其产生机理. 结果表明,连续孔隙状裂纹的产生与母材中残余第二相颗粒的连续分布、热影响区中出现的严重液化现象及液相的流失密切相关. 其产生机理在于:焊接加热时,第二相颗粒加剧了晶界液化的程度,并形成连接热影响区和焊接熔池的液相通道;冷却过程中,由于熔池区熔体体积收缩促使热影响区中的液相流向熔池;凝固末期,通道因胞状晶生长而被堵塞,导致液相无法从熔池回填,从而在热影响区形成连续孔隙状裂纹.     

Effect of solidification velocity on weld solidification process of alloy tool steel

Abstract

In order to clarify the effect of solidification velocity on the weld solidification process of alloy tool steel during the welding, the information about microstructure evolution was obtained by the concurrent experiments of liquid tin quenching and time resolved X-ray diffraction technique using intense synchrotron radiation. It was found from the experiments that the solidification mode was transferred from an FA to an A mode at the high solidification velocity. The effect of solidification velocity on the phase selection during solidification between the primary δ-ferrite and γ-austenite was theoretically proved by the Kurz, Giovanola and Trivedi (KGT) model. It is thus explained that the solidification cracking susceptibility of the weld metal of alloy tool steel was enhanced due to the δ to γ transition of the primary phase.     

Microstructure,mechanical properties and failure behaviour of protrusion friction stir spot welded 2024 aluminium alloy sheets

The current study investigates the mechanical and microstructure properties of 2024 aluminium alloy welded by protrusion friction stir spot welding as a novel method to produce keyhole-free welds. Tool rotation speed and anvil protrusion height are used as effective variables of the process to obtain optimum conditions. Results illustrate that the keyhole-free welds with the joint show superior mechanical properties in protrusion friction stir spot welding compared to conventional friction stir spot welding. Failure mode changes from interfacial mode to circumferential mode by increasing the nugget zone depth and joint length, while the effect of nugget zone is considerable. Finally, welding at a rotation speed of 1600?rev?min^?1 and a protrusion height of 0.4?mm presents significant mechanical properties with more joint length.     

Measuring laser weldability of aluminium alloys using controlled restraint weldability test

Abstract

Al–Mg–Si alloys are known to be highly susceptible to solidification cracking. Weldability results of laminated AA6061-T6 plates are presented in this paper when welded in full penetration keyhole mode using a 1030 nm, 10 kW Yb:YAG disk laser welding source with different welding conditions. Making use of the controlled restraint weldability (CRW) cracking test, a boundary has been established between crack and no crack conditions for different preloads. The originality of the CRW test is the cross-shaped test coupon that partitions the pre-stress unequally along the welding path. The CRW is proven capable of ranking the solidification cracking behaviour of weld metals deposited under different welding conditions.