Laser cladding in repair of IN738 turbine blades

Abstract

Laser cladding with additive powder can be used for repairing high cost components such as industrial turbine blades. Repair of damaged blades is important for electrical power companies to reduce operating costs. The repair of IN738 gas turbine blades using laser cladding is reviewed. A laser cladding system for blade repair and the associated heat treatment procedures before and after repair are discussed. In general, laser cladding with IN625 powder does not require preheating and can be used for repairing IN738 blades in low stress areas. For laser cladding with a higher strength material, e.g. IN738 powder, preheating to high temperatures is necessary to avoid cracking. In a process simulation, test coupons were employed to compare the microstructures and mechanical properties of the IN738 clad region and base metal. Blade repairs with IN738 additive powder were found to be stronger but much more difficult to process than those with IN625 powder. Therefore, extreme caution is required when repairing IN738 blades in high stress areas using a matching filler metal.     

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.     

风电机组关键部件磨蚀现状及防治研究进展

随着风电事业的迅猛发展,风电机组关键部件磨蚀问题日益突出,而关于该问题的全面综述鲜有报道,亟须系统分析总结风电机组磨蚀问题及防治手段,为解决长期困扰风电行业的磨蚀难题提供参考和建议。首先,阐述陆上及海上风电机组金属部件腐蚀磨蚀现状,统计国内典型区域非金属部件的磨蚀现状,分析其产生磨蚀损伤的机理,指出塔筒等金属结构件腐蚀磨蚀问题突出,叠加所在地的特殊区域环境,出现加速失效;齿轮等金属零部件的磨蚀损伤是进一步失效的诱发因素,表现出与承担功能相关的特有失效形式;非金属部件以叶片前缘的磨蚀最为突出,引起持续的发电量损失和维修费用激增。其次,分别综述风电机组金属部件和非金属部件的磨蚀防护技术,指出塔筒等结构件在普遍应用传统涂层保护的基础上,仍须探索包覆技术和附加防护装置等新的防护方式;叶片本体涂料防护技术相对成熟,但涂料防护和贴膜防护均无法满足叶片前缘全周期防护的要求。最后,分析总结风电机组关键部件磨蚀防治存在的主要技术问题,对后续的研究方向进行了探讨和展望,填补了风电机组关键部件磨蚀防治领域的综述空白。     

In situ repair welding of steam turbine shroud for replacing a cracked blade

A root-cracked blade in a high-pressure steam turbine of a nuclear power plant had to be replaced with a new blade by cutting the shroud to remove the cracked blade. This necessitated in situ welding of a new shroud piece with the existing shroud after the blade replacement. The in situ welding of the shroud, a 12% Cr martensitic stainless steel with tempered martensite microstructure, was carried out using gastungsten arc welding and 316L austenitic stainless steel filler metal followed by localized postweld heat treatment at 873 K for 1 h using a specially designed electrical resistance-heating furnace. Mock-up trials were carried out to ensure that sound welds could be made under the constraints present during the in situ repair welding operation. In situ metallography of the repair weld after postweld heat treatment confirmed the adequate tempering of the martensitic structure in the heat-affected zone. Metallurgical investigations carried out in the laboratory on a shroud test-piece that had been welded using the same procedure as employed in the field confirmed the success of the in situ repair operation. The alternate option available was replacing the cracked blade and the shroud piece to which it is riveted with a new one, reducing the height of all the blades attached to the shroud by machining, riveting the blades with reduced height to the new shroud, and, finally, dynamic balancing of the entire turbine after completion of the repair. This option is both time-consuming and expensive. Hence, the successful completion of this repair welding resulted in enormous savings both in terms of reducing the downtime of the plant and the cost of the repair. The turbine has been put back into service and has been operating satisfactorily since December 2000.     

Laser stabilisation of arc cathode spots in titanium welding

Abstract

Cathode spot formation is very pronounced during arc welding of titanium and titanium alloys. The dynamic behaviour of these spots was observed to interfere with metal transfer during welding, this interference being a fundamental cause of poor weld quality in these alloys. In the present work, stabilisation of the arc cathode spot with a focused Nd–YAG laser beam during pulsed gas metal arc welding of titanium was investigated. The laser beam was focused near the leading edge of the weld pool and the laser power and focus spot size were varied to determine the values required to confine the cathode spot to the laser focus position. The results showed that, for fixed welding conditions, the laser power required to prevent cathode spot motion varied as a function of focus spot size. The required laser power was minimised at 200 W for a spot size of 0.6 mm. The laser stabilised arcs had lower voltage but approximately the same current density as stabilised arcs. Increased welding speeds required marginally higher laser powers to stabilise the spot, but the minimum power was still attained with a 0.6 mm focus spot diameter. The laser power density required for stabilisation decreased as spot size was increased, varying from almost 10⁶ W cm^?2 at the smallest spot size to approximately 10⁴ W cm^?2 at the largest. Cathode spot stabilisation improved weld quality by reducing spatter generation and weld bead irregularity.     

前缘磨蚀对风力机叶片材料特性影响的数值研究

为探究风沙环境下前缘受损风力发电机叶片的载荷变化,基于有限元法对受损叶片进行数值模拟,研究不同载荷、不同冲蚀程度以及不同材料对叶片的应力、位移、固有频率的影响.结果表明:当冲蚀程度在0 mm×0 mm至1 mm×1 mm之间,冲蚀的深度和厚度对叶片应力的影响较小;叶片材料密度增大,风轮的转速增高,对叶片的应力影响较大;提高风速虽然使叶片气动载荷增大,叶片整体应力增大,但是应力趋势变化不明显;冲蚀程度增大对叶片位移影响较小;提高风速或者提高风轮转速会使叶尖最大位移增大,同时材料密度大的叶片位移更大;在叶片的前3阶模态分析中,冲蚀程度对叶片影响极小,在第8阶模态中,随着冲蚀程度增大,叶片的固有频率逐渐减小.     

激光熔覆层宽度对汽轮机转子表面综合跳动特性的影响

为解决大型汽轮机转子轴轴颈磨损的修复问题,基于同轴送粉半导体激光熔覆再制造系统,采用激光熔覆再制造方法,以汽轮机转子轴材料为基体,利用激光熔覆再制造专用粉末作为实验材料,针对不同激光熔覆层宽度对汽轮机转子综合跳动的影响进行实验研究与机理模拟验证。结果表明,综合跳动特性与探头直径和激光熔覆层宽度相关,激光熔覆层宽度决定了汽轮机转子表面磁力线、电涡流密度与磁通量密度分布。当激光再制造层宽度小于8mm时,由于磁力线与表面电涡流密度受基体的干扰,磁通量密度在激光熔覆层的边缘出现突变,实际综合跳动的测量值为基体与激光熔覆层综合作用的结果,造成测量结果偏大。根据数值模拟计算被测金属体表面磁通量密度分布结果,激光熔覆层宽度的临界值为9.82mm。     

Hardfacing by plasma transfer arc process

The plasma powder transferred arc welding process which uses feed stock in a powder form has similarities with plasma wire transferred arc welding. This paper describes a comparative study of the two processes using a cobalt-based alloy commercially known as stellite 6. This Co-based alloy is recognized for its superior cavitation erosion resistance. The aim of this paper is to investigate the potential of plasma transferred arc coatings for the protection and refurbishment of hydraulic turbine blades. Coatings were evaluated for the influence of plasma gas flow rate on coating dilution, geometry, hardness and microstructure. Coatings processed with the atomized stellite 6 powder feedstock showed a superior surface quality, lower dilution, better wettability and wider tracks. This study provided new information about the refurbishing of worn hydraulic turbine blades, leading to a longer service working life.     

Enhanced Droplet Erosion Resistance of Laser Treated Nano Structured TWAS and Plasma Ion Nitro-Carburized Coatings for High Rating Steam Turbine Components

This article deals with surface modification of twin wire arc sprayed (TWAS) and plasma ion nitro-carburized X10CrNiMoV1222 steel using high power diode laser (HPDL) to overcome water droplet erosion occurring in low pressure steam turbine (LPST) bypass valves and LPST moving blades used in high rating conventional, critical, and super critical thermal power plants. The materials commonly used for high rating steam turbines blading are X10CrNiMoV1222 steel and Ti6Al4V titanium alloy. The HPDL surface treatment on TWAS coated X10CrNiMoV1222 steel as well as on plasma ion nitro-carburized steel has improved water droplet resistance manifolds. This may be due to combination of increased hardness and toughness as well as the formation of fine grained structure due to rapid heating and cooling rates associated with the laser surface treatment. The water droplet erosion test results along with their damage mechanism are reported in this article.     

风电叶片涂料用树脂研究进展

风电叶片作为风机设备的核心部位,保证其良好运行,既可以提高发电效率,又能降低维护成本.受自然环境的影响,长时间运行的风电叶片往往比较脆弱,尤其是叶片前缘部位,极易受到风沙及雨蚀的损坏,目前最简单有效的方法是使用涂料进行防护.根据风电叶片所处的工作环境特点,提出了对防护涂料的主要要求.介绍了适用于风电叶片防护涂料的基体树脂,包括聚氨酯树脂、丙烯酸树脂、氟树脂、有机硅树脂和环氧树脂,并分别详细阐述了它们在风电叶片防护涂料方面的国内外研究进展及目前的应用.聚氨酯和丙烯酸聚氨酯树脂是目前使用最多的树脂,在高低温柔韧性、耐磨性及防风沙雨蚀方面表现优异,而氟树脂和有机硅树脂因优异的耐候性和防覆冰性也受到了越来越多的关注,环氧树脂则可以为叶片底漆提供优异的防腐性能和层间附着力.与使用单一树脂相比,针对不同树脂各自的特点,对它们进行合理搭配,制得的配套涂层体系往往可以达到更好的防护效果,这仍然会是今后的主要研究思路.最后指出了目前风电叶片涂料市场的国内外差距,并展望了风电叶片防护涂料未来的发展方向.     

风力机叶片涂层冲蚀磨损实验装置的设计

风力发电机叶片在风沙环境中运行时会受到挟沙风的冲蚀,导致叶片表面涂层损毁并且降低叶片使用寿命,同时也增加叶片的维护成本。为了探究风力机叶片受挟沙风冲蚀磨损情况,研制一种涂层冲蚀磨损实验装置,该实验装置以压缩空气为动力,通过压缩空气气管接通气源。压缩空气在冲蚀管中建立工作压力,在冲蚀管内完成沙料和压缩空气充分混合,形成高速运动的挟沙风;再利用PLC控制步进电动机转速,通过螺旋推进器进行输沙率控制,由冲蚀管喷嘴喷出,喷射到风力机叶片模型表面对其进行冲蚀磨损实验。该冲蚀装置可实现多种冲击风速、携沙量、冲击角度的多工况磨损实验,能够提供较为精确的实验数据。     

激光能量密度对65Mn钢表面Ni60A/WC复合涂层摩擦磨损性能的影响规律

目的 改善旋耕刀65Mn钢的摩擦磨损性能,提高农机触土零部件的使用寿命。方法 采用激光熔覆技术在65Mn钢基体表面制备Ni60A/WC复合涂层。通过改变激光功率调节激光能量密度,在不同能量密度下制备Ni60A/WC复合涂层,观察并测试不同参数下复合涂层试样的宏观形貌、微观结构、物相组成、元素分布、显微硬度及摩擦磨损特性,研究激光能量密度对Ni60A/WC复合涂层组织演变及摩擦磨损性能的影响规律和机理。结果 Ni60A/WC复合熔覆层顶部主要有胞状晶和树枝晶,分布较紧密,熔覆层中部主要有树枝状晶,熔覆层底部主要为胞状晶和垂直交界面生长的枝晶,且分布均匀致密。随着激光能量密度的升高,熔覆层的熔高和熔深增加显著,WC硬质相颗粒发生分解,硬质相的数量明显减少,涂层的平均显微硬度降低。在激光能量密度为120 J/mm²时,熔覆层的平均显微硬度为587.1HV1.0,相较于基体,提升了约1.8倍。此时熔覆层的平均摩擦因数最小,为0.312,相较于基体,得到显著提升,摩擦磨损机制为轻微的磨粒磨损。经田间试验测试发现,在激光能量密度为120 J/mm²时制备的带有熔覆层的旋耕刀相较于无熔覆层的旋耕刀,其磨损质量降低了63%。结论 通过控制激光能量密度,可以有效调控Ni60A/WC熔覆层的硬度和耐磨性,可为农机触土易磨损件的减摩耐磨表面强化改性提供理论指导。     

某型发动机涡轮叶片烧蚀故障分析与预防

在内部流场气-热耦合数值模拟的基础上,研究了某涡轮导向器叶片烧蚀故障的原因.研究结果表明,叶片前缘和后缘易出现高温区,尾缘上下端壁处有较大的温度梯度,是叶片容易烧蚀的位置;喷嘴积碳、燃油品质不良以及气流结构变化等均易使燃烧室出现温度分布不均,导致导向器叶片出现局部烧蚀;使用中应加强导向器叶片前缘和尾缘的检查,并严格控制暖机和冷机时间,防止发动机超温.     

Laser Treatment of Textured X20Cr13 Stainless Steel to Improve Water Droplet Erosion Resistance of LPST Blades and LP Bypass Valves

X20Cr13, a martensitic stainless steel, is commonly used for the manufacture of low pressure steam turbine (LPST) moving blades and LP bypass valves of fossil fuel and nuclear power plants. The LPST blades, at present, are laser surface treated to improve their water droplet erosion (WDE) resistance. The laser-treated X20Cr13 stainless steel has improved the water droplet resistance (WDER) several times compared to untreated ones. Further improvements are being carried out by providing a carbide-based HVOF coating having appropriate surface roughness or by creating textured surfaces and treating with a high power diode laser. The surfaces, having appropriate roughness, absorb more laser energy, resulting in improved microstructure, microhardness, modified ultimate resilience, and thicker hardened layer. The WDER of laser-treated textured X20Cr13 stainless steel has improved significantly compared to the untextured ones. The WDE test results of laser-treated textured and untextured X20Cr13 stainless steel along with their microhardness, modified ultimate resilience, microstructure, SEM, and XRD analysis are discussed and reported in this paper. The laser-treated textured X20Cr13 stainless steel is highly suitable for LP bypass valves and LPST blades for achieving a thicker hardened layer with lesser heat input to the components.     

CO2激光熔覆修复涡轮导向器工艺初探

为研究修复K418涡轮导向器的工艺,以CO2连续激光器为热源,在涡轮导向器试验叶片表面熔覆自配粉末,获得了微观形貌和显微硬度均优于基体组织的熔覆层.结果表明:在激光功率为800W、扫描速度为5mm/s、气流量为1L/min时,熔覆层的组织晶粒更加致密细小,与基体呈冶金结合且无微观缺陷.熔覆层最高硬度达436.2HV,是基体硬度的1.2倍.但采用CO2激光器容易造成热作用区增大,后续将改用YAG脉冲激光器作热源,并优化材料参数和工艺参数,进一步研究修复K418涡轮导向器的新工艺.     

激光冲击TC17钛合金叶片的微观组织/应力演变及缺口振动疲劳性能

目的 提高航空发动机叶片的抗疲劳性能。方法 采用高功率密度短脉冲激光冲击某型发动机TC17钛合金整体叶盘叶片模拟件,并采用飞秒激光在进气边预制缺口。通过扫描电子显微镜和透射电子显微镜表征激光冲击前后的表层微观组织。通过X射线衍射和三坐标测量仪分别测量激光冲击强化过程中的残余应力演变和宏观塑性变形,并由一阶弯曲振动疲劳对激光冲击强化效果进行评价。结果 激光冲击在TC17钛合金叶片表层诱导产生了高密度位错组织,但由于冲击次数的控制,未产生明显的晶粒细化效应。激光冲击叶盆面后,叶盆面呈现压应力状态,残余应力为330.5 MPa,叶背面呈现拉应力状态,其值为55.5 MPa。进一步激光冲击叶背面后,叶背面的拉应力转变为压应力,其值达到了267.0 MPa,叶盆面残余压应力减小,由330.5 MPa变为261.9 MPa。激光冲击叶盆面后,进气边与叶尖交点偏离初始位置0.119 1、0.129 1 mm;冲击叶背面后,位移偏离初始位置减小,分别为0.071 08、0.099 mm。激光冲击强化后,缺口振动疲劳寿命显著提升,平均循环次数由56 696周次增加到199 515周次,出现了明显的裂纹闭合效应。结论 激光冲击强化在TC17钛合金表层引入了高密度位错组织和双面贯穿式残余压应力,并将叶片宏观塑性变形控制在0.1 mm以内,在疲劳性能上获得了显著的提升。     

Recent developments in repair welding technologies in Japan

Abstract

Developments in some difficult repair welding technologies in Japan during the past decade are reviewed. The topics covered include the repair welding of bridges in service, the temper bead method which makes it possible to omit post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) of repaired pressure vessels, the seal welding of a reactor vessel in which stress corrosion cracks were detected, low heat input repair welding of neutron irradiated stainless steel and nickel based alloys, the prevention of solidification cracking in repair welding of aged heat resistant cast steels, the development of welding materials for the mending of single crystal nickel based superalloy turbine blades, underwater repair welding of nuclear reactors, the reduction of residual stresses in repair welding, and an ultrasonic testing method for nickel based weld metals. The local PWHT of creep resistant ferritic steel tubes is also reviewed.     

水轮机叶片表面聚氨酯弹性涂层的抗磨蚀性分析

目的分析聚氨酯弹性涂层的抗磨蚀性机理,并研究其在水利工程表面防护中的应用。方法对水轮机叶片的气蚀磨损机理进行分析,采用PU喷涂技术在水轮机叶片钢材(0Cr13Ni5Mo)上做一层聚氨酯弹性耐磨涂层,并对涂层的性能进行检测与分析。结果当聚氨酯组分的官能度为2.4时,聚氨酯弹性涂层表现出优异的综合力学性能,涂层与水轮机叶片间的物理结合力达到12.6 MPa,涂层磨耗值保持在较低范围内(2~3 mg/1000 r)。结论聚氨酯弹性涂层能减缓含沙水流对水利工程中高速运转机械设备的冲刷磨损、空蚀破坏,延长水轮机叶片、水泵叶轮的使用寿命。     

发动机低压涡轮导向叶片裂纹分析

低压涡轮导向叶片是发动机中重要热端部件之一,叶片在高温燃气环境下工作,服役条件十分恶劣。发动机工作结束后,发现低压涡轮导向叶片表面存有裂纹和基体缺失现象。通过外观检查、断口宏微观分析、材质分析、气膜孔检查及热模拟试验等手段,对低压涡轮导向叶片的裂纹性质及萌生原因进行分析研究。结果表明:故障低压涡轮导向叶片的裂纹性质为疲劳裂纹,叶片在工作过程中热障涂层脱落,导致叶片组织超温,使其抗疲劳性能下降并萌生疲劳裂纹。     

Evaluation of service-induced damage and restoration of cast turbine blades

Conventionally cast turbine blades of Inconel 713C, from a military gas turbine aircraft engine, have been investigated with regard to service-induced microstructural damage and residual creep life time. For cast turbine blades, service life is defined by statistical values. The statistical methods can prove to be uneconomical, because safe limits must be stated with regard to the statistical probability that some blades will have higher damage than normal. An alternative approach is to determine the service-induced microstructural damage on each blade, or a representative number of blades, to better optimize blade us-age. Ways to use service-induced γ rafting and void formation as quantified microstructural damage pa-rameters in a service lifetime prediction model are suggested. The damage parameters were quantified, in blades with different service exposure levels, and correlated to remaining creep life evaluated from creep test specimens taken from different positions of serviced blades. Results from tests with different rejuvenation treatments, including hot isostatic pressing andJor heat treatment, are discussed briefly.