Residual welding stresses in laser beam and tungsten inert gas weldments of titanium alloy

Abstract

The residual welding stresses in laser beam (LB) and tungsten inert gas (TIG) weldments of a titanium alloy in thin plate form were investigated experimentally in the present work. A hole drilling technique was used to measure the residual stresses in the weldments. The effects of the welding method and post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) on the residual stresses were analysed. The results show that (i) the residual stress distribution in the LB welded joints is similar to that obtained for traditional fusion welding processes, although the distribution zone is much narrower in LB welding, (ii) the residual stress in the heat affected zone for LB welding is about 100 MPa lower than that for TIG welding, and (iii) PWHT in vacuum greatly relieves the welding residual stress.     

Nickel based superalloy welding practices for industrial gas turbine applications

Abstract

The continued drive for increased efficiency, performance and reduced costs for industrial gas turbine engines demands extended use of high strength-high temperature capability materials, such as nickel based superalloys. To satisfy the requirements of the component design and manufacturing engineers, these materials must be capable of being welded in a satisfactory manner. The present paper describes the characteristic defects found as a result of welding the more difficult, highly alloyed materials and reviews a number of welding processes used in the manufacture and repair of nickel alloy components. These include gas tungsten arc (GTA) and electron beam (EB) welding, laser powder deposition and friction welding. Many of the more dilute nickel based alloys are readily weldable using conventional GTA processes; however, high strength, precipitation hardened materials are prone to heat affected zone and strain age cracking defect formation. A number of factors are found to affect the propensity for defects: composition (aluminium and titanium content), grain size, pre- and post-weld heat treatment, as well as the welding process itself (control of heat input and traverse speed). Process parameter identification is still largely empirical and a fuller understanding of the joining processes is dependent upon the development and application of more sophisticated numerical modelling techniques.     

Repair welding of cracked turbine shroud using matching composition consumables

Abstract

Repair welding of a crack in the III-stage shroud of a high pressure turbine, was carried out using matching composition ER 410 filler wire by the gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) process with ultra high purity argon as shielding and backing gas. The development of the repair welding procedure involved laboratory studies for the selection of a suitable ER410 filler wire, optimisation of welding parameters and PWHT. Mock up welding under simulated on-site constraints confirmed the feasibility to produce in situ sound weld joint. In situ repair welding and localised PWHT was carried out successfully. NDT and in situ metallography of the repair-welded region confirmed adequate tempering of the martensitic weldment during the localised PWHT.     

Influence of pre- and post-weld heating on weldability of modified 9Cr–1Mo(V–Nb) steel pipe under shielded metal arc and tungsten inert gas welding processes

Abstract

Welding of modified 9Cr–1Mo(V–Nb) steel pipes has been carried out via shielded metal arc (SMA) and tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding processes. The weld joints have been produced using different preheating temperatures, followed by post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) at various temperatures. The microstructures of the weld and of the heat affected zone (HAZ) of the weld joints have been studied under the optical microscope and correlated with the preheating and PWHT. The average hardness of the weld and different regions of the HAZ, and tensile properties of the weld joints have also been studied and correlated with the preheating and PWHT. The tensile properties of the SMA and TIG weld joints produced using preheating and PWHT at various temperatures are compared and correlated with their microstructures. It is noted that a comparatively high preheating temperature of the order of 573 K is beneficial, and PWHT is necessary to reduce the susceptibility to cold cracking of weld joints of the present steel. The PWHT at 1123 K enhances ductility to fracture, but decreases the tensile strength of the base material, causing fracture of both the SMA and TIG weld joints from this region close to the HAZ. The tensile properties of SMA welds are found to be superior to those of the TIG welds, especially for PWHT at temperatures up to 1023 K.     

Optimised post-weld heat treatment procedures and heat input for welding 17–4PH stainless steel

Abstract

Post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) procedures and heat input during welding of 17–4PH stainless steel, using matching chemistry consumables, have been optimised in relation to its microstructural condition before welding based on room temperature tensile properties. The 17–4PH stainless steel was welded in two different prior microstructural conditions, namely, condition A (solution treated) and condition H1150 (overaged), using three different heat inputs of 0·27, 0·48, and 0·72 kJ mm^-1, and post-weld heat treated to condition H900 (aged) or condition H1150 (over aged), using different heat treatment procedures. Room temperature tensile tests were carried out to study the combined effects of prior microstructural condition, heat input during welding, and PWHT procedures.     

Effect of post-weld heat treatment on joint properties of friction welded joint between brass and low carbon steel

Abstract

This paper describes the effect of post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) on joint properties of copper–zinc alloy (brass) and low carbon steel friction welded joints. The as-welded joint obtained 100% joint efficiency and the brass base metal fracture without cracking at the weld interface, and had no intermetallic compound layer. The joint efficiency with PWHT decreased with increasing heating temperature and its holding time, and its scatter increased with those increasing parameters. When the joint was heat treated at 823 K for 360 ks, it did not achieve 100% joint efficiency and fractured between the weld interface and the brass base metal although it had no intermetallic compound. The cracking at the peripheral portion of the weld interface was generated through PWHT. The cracking was due to the dezincification and the embrittlement of the brass side during PWHT.     

Properties of as welded and heat treated pure titanium–7075 Al–Zn–Mg alloy friction weld joints

Abstract

The effects of joining conditions and an age hardening post­weld heat treatment (PWHT) at 120°C for 24 h on the tensile strength and metallurgical properties of dissimilar friction joints between pure titanium and age strengthened 7075 Al–Zn–Mg alloy were investigated. Highest strength was achieved using intermediate friction pressure (150 MPa), short friction time (0.5 s), and high upsetting (forging) pressure (400 MPa). The joint tensile strength decreased when the joint diameter was increased from 8 to 16 mm. The joint tensile strength of as welded (AW) dissimilar joints was similar to that of PWHT joints with diameters of 8, 12, and 16 mm. Detailed TEM confirmed that there was a negligible difference in the thickness of the intermetallic layer formed at the dissimilar joint interface for AW and PWHT joints. While the intermetallic phases formed at the joint interface comprised Al₃Ti, τ (Ti₂Mg₃Al₁₈), and Al in AW joints, they consisted of Al+τ or Mg₂Al₃+τ+Al in PWHT joints. Softened regions were generated in 7075 base material immediately next to the interface in AW joints. Post­weld heat treatment increased the hardness of the softened region almost to that of as received 7075–T6 base material in 12 and 16 mm diameter joints. In contrast, the hardness of the softened region in 8 mm diameter joints could not be recovered to that of the as received material. This was a result of overaging and coarse precipitates in the softened region produced during the friction welding operation.     

Effect of thermal cycle on microstructure and mechanical properties of CLAM steel weld CGHAZ

Abstract

Based on the previous work of SHCCT diagram developing of China low activation martensitic (CLAM) steel, the effect of thermal cycle on the microstructure and mechanical properties of CLAM steel weld is investigated using physical thermal simulation (Gleeble 3500) to control heat input accurately. Three conditions including single layer, double layer welding and post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) are involved. The results show that higher cooling rate leads to better grain refinement but higher hardness in the coarse grained heat affected zone. Precipitation of delta ferrite is relatively severe when the cooling rate is low. Thermal cycle during double layer welding has an obvious weakening effect on mechanical properties, which mainly results from the larger quantity of delta ferrite precipitates. The microstructure and mechanical properties of CLAM steel joints can be improved by PWHT. Hardness of heat-affected zone tends to keep uniform with the increase of tempering temperature.     

Effects of welding parameters on melting energy of CO2 laser–GMA hybrid welding

Abstract

A series of CO₂ laser–gas metal arc (GMA) hybrid welding experiments were carried out on the mild steel workpiece to investigate the effects of the welding parameters, such as laser power, arc current and the distance between laser and arc D _LA, on the melting energy. A dimensionless parameter psi was introduced to indicate the change in the melting energy of hybrid welding. The results showed that with different welding parameters, the melting energy of hybrid welding was changed by the two heat sources (laser and arc) interaction. With an optimal combination welding parameters, psi can be increased up to 23%. Finally, the role of the two different mechanisms in the heat sources interaction was quantitatively discussed in terms of psi. It can be concluded that when D _LA<4 mm, the interaction between the laser induced plasma and the arc plasma dominates the heat sources interaction, therefore the changes of melting energy, whereas the heat sources interaction is only dominated by the preheating mechanism when D _LA≥4 mm.     

Experimental study on welding characteristics of CO2 laser TIG hybrid welding process

Abstract

The experiments of CO₂ laser TIG paraxial hybrid welding with 4 mm thick AISI 321 stainless steel sheet have been performed. The arc images and welding characteristics have been investigated with different energy ratios between laser and arc. The experimental results indicate that the hybrid welding is similar to laser welding and has also two welding mechanisms: deep penetration welding and heat conduction welding. Because of the effect of keyhole induced by laser, the arc root can be stabilised and compressed, and the current density and the penetration depth are all increased significantly, which show the characteristics of deep penetration welding. However, when the current is increased to a critical value, the laser induced keyhole disappears and the arc expands obviously, which decreases the penetration depth, so that the welding mechanism has been changed from deep penetration welding to heat conduction welding. Furthermore, the effects of distance between laser beam and electrode, pulsed laser and hybrid manners on hybrid welding characteristics have also been studied.     

Mechanical properties of 422 stainless steel repaired via wire feed laser welding

Abstract

Laser welding with filler wire additions could be used in restoration of components that are of high cost or sometimes difficult to procure, such as steam turbine blades in fossil fuel power plants. In the present work, machined V groove specimens were employed to simulate laser repair of Carpenter 636 stainless steel (SS), which has a similar composition to a blade material, type 422 SS. Before repair welding, a heat treatment procedure including solution and temper treatments of the specimens was carried out according to the mechanical and microstructural analyses of a used blade after 20 years service at about 540° C. Tensile, impact, and fatigue crack growth tests of weld repairs using 410 SS filler wire were conducted. The weld repairs exhibited an impact toughness similar to that of the base metal and a lower fatigue crack growth rate than the base metal. However, the lower hardness associated with 410 SS filler metal led to tensile fracture in the weld metal of repaired specimens. Accordingly, the use of 410 SS filler metal for repair welding type 422 SS components should be limited to regions under low stress.     

Modifying residual stress levels in rail flash-butt welds using localised rapid post-weld heat treatment and accelerated cooling

Abstract

Flash-butt welding is used in the manufacture of continuously-welded rails. Finished welds typically exhibit high tensile residual stresses in the rail web and at the upper surface of the rail foot, which may increase the risk of fatigue failure in service. An understanding of the influence of the welding process, including post-weld cooling, on the residual stress distribution is necessary to improve the performance of flash-butt welds by post-weld heat treatment (PWHT), since incorrect treatment may have adverse effects on both residual stress and weld material characteristics. A finite element model has been developed to simulate post-weld cooling in flash-butt welded AS60 kg m^–1 rail. Computed thermal histories for normal (air) cooling, rapid PWHT, and accelerated cooling (water spray) were used as inputs to calculate sequentially coupled stress–time histories, including phase transformations. In addition, the localised influence of the initiation time for rapid PWHT, after final upset, on the reduction of tensile residual stresses was investigated. Heating the rail foot immediately after final upset reduced tensile residual stresses in the web region of the weld. Preliminary numerical predictions showed that water quenching the entire weld region too soon after the austenite–pearlite transformation is completed can induce further tensile residual stresses without affecting the microstructure. The results of the numerical analysis can be used to modify the flash-butt welding procedure to lower residual stress levels, and hence improve weld performance.     

3D numerical study of effects of temperature field on sensitisation of Alloy 690 butt welds fabricated by gas tungsten arc welding and laser beam welding

Abstract

This study examines the effects of the temperature field on the sensitisation of Alloy 690 butt welds fabricated using the gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) method and the laser beam welding (LBW) method respectively. The welding thermal cycles of the two welding methods are simulated using ANSYS software based upon a moving heat source model. The validity of the numerical model is confirmed by comparing the simulation results with the corresponding experimental findings. Agreement is found between the numerical results for the temperature field and the experimental temperature measurements. In addition, it is shown that the LBW weldment experiences a more rapid heating and cooling effect than the GTAW weldment, and therefore has both a smaller heat affected zone and a narrower sensitisation region. Thus, the validity and general applicability of the thermal welding model are confirmed.     

Influence of forge pressure on properties of friction welded pipelines using intermediate ring

Abstract

An innovative welding method for fully automatic joining of pipelines has been developed. The proposed welding procedure is a variant of the conventional friction welding process. A rotating intermediate ring is used to generate heat necessary to realise the weld. The working principles of the welding process are described. The influence of the forge pressure on the mechanical properties of the welds and the heat affected zone microstructure was experimentally investigated. It was found that the forge pressure had no influence either on the mechanical properties or on the weld microstructure, which is in contradiction with the published data in literature concerning conventional friction welding.     

Evolution of residual stresses in dissimilar steel surfacing layers during process of post-weld heat treatment

Abstract

Residual stress relaxation during post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) is a thermodynamic process, which is affected not only by the heat treatment process, but also by the welding residual stress. In this study, the residual stresses in as welded and heat treated surfacing metal were measured using blind hole and X-ray method. The results reveal that the welding residual stresses are compressive at the surface of the weld and tensile at inner weld. However, after PWHT, the residual stresses at surface and inner weld change to the opposite state. Finite element simulations show that the differences of expansion coefficients between base metal and filler material are the main factor to the changes of stress state. The experimental results verify that the expansion coefficients of base metal and filler materials have been changed greatly after long soaking at high temperature.     

Friction stir welding of dissimilar A319 and A356 aluminium cast alloys

Abstract

In the present investigation, the microstructure and mechanical characteristics of dissimilar A319 and A356 cast Al alloys plates joined by friction stir welding (FSW) were evaluated. The effect of tool rotational and welding speeds as well as the post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) on such properties was investigated. Post-weld heat treatment was carried out at a solutionising temperature of 540°C for 12 h followed by aging at 155°C for 6 h. For the as welded specimens, the welded zone (WZ) exhibited higher hardness values when compared with the A319 and A356 parent alloys. The peak hardness at the WZ was found to increase by increasing the tool rotational speed and/or reducing the welding speed. In contrast, the post-weld heat treated (PWHTed) specimens exhibited lower hardness values at the WZ than the parent alloys. For PWHTed specimens, the peak hardness at the WZ was found to decrease by increasing the tool rotational speed and/or reducing the welding speed. Tensile tests results demonstrate that, for the as welded specimens, the tensile fracture took place on A356 side where the hardness was minimal. While for PWHTed specimens, the fracture took place at the WZ. Increasing the tool rotational speed reducing both tensile and yield strengths, but increases the ductility of the joint.     

An evaluation procedure for hot‐spot tensions in welded plates

Summary

This paper describes an investigation of the correlation between HAZ microstructures amd mechanical properties in the post‐weld heat treatment (PWHT) of two types of thermomechanical control process steels (TMCP steels), especially the relationship between the stress relaxation behaviour and high‐temperature deformability. Simulated weld heat treatment was performed with a welding thermal cycle simulator at a maximum temperature of 1623 K. PWHT was performed at a heating rate of 55.6 K/ksec. The mechanical properties in the PWHT process were evaluated by rising‐temperature constant‐strain rate tests and rising‐temperature constant‐load tests. The effect of PWHT in reducing ductility is discussed from the perspective of the precipitation behaviour of intergranular and transgranular carbides and the associated deformability of the matrix in each HAZ structure. The results obtained may be summarised as follows:

1. The results obtained during measurement of the stress relaxation behaviour in the rising‐temperature constant‐strain rate tests suggest that the bainite structures of both steels clearly show more stagnation or delay in their stress relaxation behaviour than the other HAZ structures at a PWHT temperature above 600 K. This implies that the matrix is resistant to softening. The non‐AcC type steel also exhibits more stagnation in the higher temperature range under the effect of alloy carbide precipitation at the grain boundaries than the AcC type steel.

2. The results obtained in the rising‐temperature constant‐load tests run to determine the high‐temperature strength and inherent deformability of the HAZ structure suggest that the bainite structures of both steels tend to lose more ductility than the other HAZ structures, having a reduction of area of 35% at a fracture temperature of 850–900 K. The non‐AcC type steel also exhibits a greater loss of ductility in all HAZ structures than the AcC type steel.

3. The results of the TEM observations made to determine the causes of this ductility loss suggest that a difference in the carbide precipitation behaviour near the grain boundaries in each HAZ structure in the PWHT process affects the plastic deformability of the matrix, and that the trend of reducing plasticity differs in each HAZ structure. These trends are more pronounced in the non‐AcC type steel containing alloying elements with a strong carbide‐producing tendency, such as e.g. Nb, Ti, etc.

4. All HAZ structures of the AcC type steel show a trend of reducing ductility at a fracture temperature of 850–900 K. This feature is not found in conventional carbon steels with an identical composition and may well be due to the fact that this temperature range corresponds to the ductile‐brittle transition range. It is necessary to resort to a method of fabrication able to reduce the hardened structures as far as possible during welding, i.e. to ductility reducing counter‐measures in the PWHT process, such as e.g. welding heat input control, preheating, etc.

5. To evaluate the ductility and brittleness of steels, it is important to gain a good understanding of their plastic deformability, and the paper proposes a method for evaluation of the ductility of the TMCP steels on the basis of the relationship between the amount of displacement produced in the rising‐temperature constant‐strain rate tests and the plastic deformability of each HAZ structure in the PWHT process as obtained in the rising‐temperature constant‐load tests. This method enables the risk of cracking and degree of embrittlement to be identified and proves effective in practical applications.

     

焊后热处理对特厚板20MnNiMo焊接残余应力的影响

为了研究焊后热处理对8万吨模锻压机主缸材料20MnNiMo焊接接头残余应力的影响,制定了窄间隙焊接方案和15 h×(550±10)℃焊后热处理方案,并通过盲孔法对焊接接头表面残余应力进行了测定和记录。得到了15 h×(550±10)℃焊后热处理对20MnNiMo厚板焊接接头残余应力场分布的影响。结果表明:15 h×(550±10)℃去应力退火可以很好的减小20MnNiMo厚板焊接残余应力,去应力效果显著,可以很好地改善20MnNiMo焊接残余应力的分布,该热处理方案满足实际产品需要,可以用于实际焊接生产中。     

Novel method of thermite welding

Abstract

This article presents a novel method of thermite welding. A hand operated portable welding can be conveniently realised using self-made thermite welding pencil without any welding equipments. A butt junction was obtained between two low carbon steel plates. Morphological, microstructure and mechanical analyses of the weld bead were carried out. The results demonstrated that the two steel plates were jointed by fusion bonding with the filler. No defects such as porosity and microcrack were found. The hardness test showed the low hardness of the fusion zone compared with the base material. In addition, the grain growth in HAZ did not affect the hardness of the base material. The average tensile strength of welds was 285·4 MPa, ～70% of the average tensile strength of low carbon steel.     

Application of discrete distribution point heat source model to simulate multipass weld thermal cycles in medium thick plates

Abstract

An analytical solution to the heat flow differential equation has been proposed, which allows an adequate and simplified approach to multipass welding conditions in the heat affected zone. The solution is based on the medium thick plate temperature distribution initially proposed by Rosenthal. The model applies a discrete distribution of point heat sources localised on any point of the plate that is being welded. This approach allows changing the position of the heat sources in the groove from one pass to another, reproducing multipass welding conditions. Actual thermal cycles of multipass welding of AISI 304 and 2304 stainless steels were recorded and compared with simulated thermal cycles, which verified the agreement between the simulated and the actual HAZ thermal cycles. Microstructures of alloys UNS S32304 and UNS S32205 were reproduced in the Gleeble system using the calculated thermal cycles and their comparison with actual weld microstructures confirmed the utility of the proposed heat flow model for metallurgical weldability studies involving multipass welding.