Evaluation of solidification cracking susceptibility of Fe–18Mn–0·6C steel welds

Solidification cracking susceptibilities of high Mn steel welds were evaluated in the present study. A longitudinal Varestraint technique was utilised to assess the solidification cracking behaviours of the fusion zone. High Mn steel welds were more susceptible to solidification cracking than 304 and 202 austenitic stainless steel welds, however, they were less susceptible than 310S austenitic stainless steel welds. Extensive segregations of Mn and C took place at the dendritic and grain boundaries in the weld metal, and accordingly contributed to the increase of the hot cracking susceptibility of high Mn steel by the enlargement of solidification temperature range. Further, continuous γ-(Fe,Mn)₃C eutectic phases formed at 1090°C along the grain boundary primarily resulted in the increase of solidification cracking sensitivity in high Mn steel.     

A comparison of hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility of two austenitic stainless steel welds

Slow displacement rate tensile tests were carried out to assess the effect of hydrogen embrittlement on notched tensile strength (NTS) and fracture characteristics of AISI 316L and 254 SMO stainless steel (SS) plates and welds. 254 SMO generally exhibited a better resistance to hydrogen embrittlement than 316L. The strain-induced transformation of austenite to martensite in the 316L SS was responsible for the high hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility of the alloy and weld. Sensitized 254 SMO (i.e., heat-treated at 1000 °C/40 min) base plate and weld comprised of dense precipitates along grain boundaries. Interfacial separation along solidified boundaries was observed with the tensile fracture of 254 SMO weld, especially the sensitized one. Dense grain boundary precipitates not only reduced the ductility but also raised the susceptibility to sulfide stress corrosion cracking of the sensitized 254 SMO plate and weld.     

Effect of austenite instability on the hydrogen-enhanced crack growth of austenitic stainless steels

Fatigue crack growth tests were performed to assess the fatigue behavior of AISI 316L and 254 SMO stainless steels (SSs) in air and gaseous hydrogen. 254 SMO SS generally exhibited a greater resistance to fatigue crack growth than 316L. Sensitization treatment had only a marginal effect on the fatigue crack growth behavior of both alloys in air. Moreover, 316L SS exhibited significant hydrogen-enhanced crack growth but 254 SMO, even sensitized 254 SMO specimens, did not. A thin layer of strain-induced martensite was formed on the fatigue-fractured surface of the 316L SS, and its content increased when raising the stress ratio. The thin martensite layer was responsible for the hydrogen-enhanced fatigue crack growth of the 316L SS. By contrast, the extremely stable austenite was responsible for the low susceptibility of 254 SMO SS to hydrogen-accelerated crack growth. The trapping of hydrogen at the grain boundaries and the transformed martensite in the sensitized 316L specimens led to increased fatigue crack growth rates and intergranular fracture of the material.     

Effect of minor elements on hot cracking susceptibility of austenitic stainless steel welds

This research evaluates the effects of Si, N and REM on the hot cracking behavior of specially designed austenitic stainless steels. Varestraint hot cracking tests and microstructural examination revealed that solidification cracking of 304 can be minimized by a suitable addition of Si, N and control of the solidification mode. Further, the addition of N to “fully” austenitic 316 weld metal decreased solidification cracking susceptibility. REM additions were also effective in reducing solidification and weld metal HAZ liquation cracking in 347, but was ineffective for reduction in base metal HAZ liquation cracking.     

The effect of solidification behaviour of austenitic stainless steel on the solidification cracking susceptibility

0Introduction Oneofthemainproblemsinweldingausteniticstain lesssteelsishotcracking[1,2].Inweldingofsingle phase austeniticstainlesssteels,thetendencyofhotcrackingis moreserious[3].Inordertopreventhotcrackingofthis kindofmaterial,itwasattemptedtogaintwo p…     

奥氏体不锈钢-铜钎料钎焊界面反应行为分析

针对电弧钎焊奥氏体不锈钢时,易产生裂纹的问题,采用316LN不锈钢母材和多种铜基钎料,研究了电弧钎焊、炉中钎焊和真空钎焊316LN不锈钢和铜基钎料时的界面反应行为.结果表明,电弧钎焊条件下钎料对母材的润湿性随着电流的加大而提高,钎料沿母材晶界的扩散不明显,在电流较高时母材局部熔化,且易形成沿晶界裂纹.炉中钎焊过程中钎料沿母材晶界扩散明显,但不易形成裂纹;真空钎焊过程中钎料沿母材晶界扩散显著,形成较厚的界面层,但无裂纹出现.较大的焊接热应力以及钎料沿母材晶界扩散造成的晶界弱化是形成界面裂纹的必要条件.     

残余应力对Super304H焊缝金属再热裂纹敏感性的影响

采用预压缩CT试样的方法研究了残余应力对Super304H奥氏体不锈钢焊缝金属再热裂纹敏感性的影响。通过ABAQUS模拟结合EBSD表征分析了不同残余应力下的焊缝金属的塑性应变分布和位错密度分布,并从残余应力诱导焊缝金属晶内析出相的方面解释了残余应力对焊缝金属再热裂纹敏感性的影响。结果表明：高预压缩载荷的CT试样具有更高的残余应力,更容易产生再热裂纹。随着残余应力的增加,焊缝金属拉伸试样的抗拉强度逐渐降低。焊缝金属CT试样靠近U型口的高残余应力区域具有更高的位错密度和更高比例的亚晶,促进了晶内小颗粒相的析出,使得晶内硬化更为严重,再热裂纹更容易产生。     

Photocurrent and capacitance investigations into the nature of the passive films on austenitic stainless steels

Photocurrent and capacitance measurements of semiconductor passive films formed on metals and alloys can be used to study the electronic properties and reveal indirect information about structure and composition. The current work used these techniques to investigate the electronic properties of the passive films formed on three austenitic stainless steels, types 304L, 316L and 254SMO, in borate. Evidence was found for the existence of a large number of localised mid bandgap states, consistent with amorphous oxides. However, the flat-band potentials of the austenitic stainless steel passive films were found to be independent of both composition and measuring frequency. The most credible explanation for the bandgap values determined from photocurrent measurements is that the passive films are formed as dual layers, iron oxide outer layer and chromium oxide inner layer. This model does not need to evoke the potential dependent bandgaps used by previous authors.     

316L奥氏体不锈钢的腐蚀行为

综述了316L奥氏体不锈钢应用过程中的腐蚀行为,包括晶间腐蚀、应力腐蚀开裂、缝隙腐蚀、环烷酸腐蚀、大气腐蚀和海水腐蚀。同时介绍了合金元素Mo、N和Al,以及电解质类型、温度、浓度等因素对其腐蚀行为的影响。最后讨论了应用中存在的问题,并对未来的发展做了一些展望。     

Effect of Boron Content on Hot Ductility and Hot Cracking Susceptibility in 316L Austenitic Stainless Steel for Welding Components

Liquation cracking may occur in the heat-affected zone during welding. Two factors influence this phenomenon: the tensile stresses generated during welding and the potential loss of ductility due to the presence of a liquid film at grain boundaries depending on their chemical composition. Gleeble hot ductility tests have been used to study the combined effect of boron content and holding time on ductility drop in the liquation temperature range of a 316L type austenitic stainless steel. It is shown that high boron contents and short holding times promote the loss of ductility in this temperature range. Secondary ion mass spectrometry has been used to correlate mechanical results to boron distribution either at grain boundaries or in the bulk. Other welding tests have been performed to confirm the influence of boron content on hot cracking sensitivity of AISI 316L stainless steels. Results indicate that cracks appear on all specimens but at different strain levels. The higher the boron content is, the more the specimen exhibits tendency to hot cracking.     

Stainless steel thread forming screws and their susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking

Abstract

Thread forming fasteners incorporate both drilling and hole tapping features and are commonly used in the construction industry to fix together steel sheets of different material types. With this practical application in mind, fasteners manufactured from martensitic and austenitic stainless steels have been subjected to alternating corrosion conditions in accordance with test standards DIN 50021-SS and DIN 50018-K WF 2·0. The torque applied to the screws during these tests was controlled to place the fasteners under equal tensile loads, independent of their tensile strength. Thus, the results provided information on their relative susceptibilities to stress corrosion cracking. At the end of the tests, up to 80% of the martensitic stainless steel drilling and tapping screws had failed due to hydrogen induced stress corrosion cracking. The fasteners manufactured from austenitic materials withstood identical test conditions without any evidence of cracking or crack initiation. It is concluded that fasteners manufactured from modified martensitic stainless steel are more susceptible to stress corrosion cracking under the conditions of test than those made from cold worked austenitic stainless steels. This suggests that in practical applications the potential for catastrophic failure due to stress corrosion cracking could be considerably higher in modified martensitic fasteners in comparison with austenitic stainless steel fasteners, including those with hardened carbon steel drill points.     

The transpassive dissolution mechanism of highly alloyed stainless steels: I. Experimental results and modelling procedure

The transpassive dissolution of austenitic stainless steels (AISI 316L, AISI 904L, 254SMO and 654SMO) in a 0.5 M sulphate solution with pH 2 was studied by conventional and rotating ring-disc voltammetry, as well as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The main process in the transpassive potential region was found to be the release of soluble Cr(VI), while small amounts of lower-valency Cr or Mo species are released as well. Secondary passivation readily occurs for AISI 316L, whereas the remaining highly alloyed steels dissolve at high current densities in the whole potential range studied. The dissolution rate was found to increase in the order AISI 904L<254SMO<654SMO. Thus it can be correlated to the increase in the Cr and especially Mo content of the steel substrate. The impedance spectra contain contributions from the transpassive dissolution of Cr and secondary passivation, probably due to enrichment of Fe in the outermost layer of the surface film. A kinetic model of the process is proposed, including a two-step transpassive dissolution of Cr via a Cr(VI) intermediate and the dissolution of Fe(III) through the anodic film. The model was found to be in quantitative agreement with steady state current vs. potential curves and electrochemical impedance spectra. The kinetic parameters of transpassive dissolution were determined and the relevance of their values is discussed.     

Application limits of stainless steels in the petroleum industry

Stainless steels have a great variety of potential applications in the petroleum industry, mainly as an alternative to carbon steel in corrosive environments. Within a number of media that can cause corrosion problems with these materials, only chloride solutions and hydrogen sulfide are of importance in oilfield service. A reliable tool that permits the proper selection of stainless steels has yet been missing. In order to provide engineering diagrams for this purpose, pitting and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) tests were performed. Specimens were exposed to NaCl solutions containing from 3 to 100,000 ppm Cl^? at temperatures from 40 to 200 °C. This test configuration was chosen to give a better representation of actual service conditions than accelerated standard test procedures do. Tested materials were the austenitic stainless steel grades 321, 316Ti (API LC30‐1812) and 254 SMO, and 22Cr duplex (austenitic‐ferritic) steel (API LC65‐2205). Based on an optical examination of the specimens, no‐risk regions of chloride concentration vs. temperature have been identified. Subsequently, service temperature limits have been deduced for each tested material. Thus, material failures by pitting and SCC can be prevented without overdesigning. The results of the testing series are applicable to all chloride environments without presence of H₂S, as they have to be handled by primary production equipment, as well as transportation and gas processing facilities.     

Residual stress driven creep cracking in AISI Type 316 stainless steel

Specially designed AISI Type 316H austenitic stainless steel 25 mm thick compact tension specimens have been plastically deformed to produce significant tensile hydrostatic residual stresses at the notch root at mid-thickness. These specimens were thermally exposed at 550 °C for 4500 hours in order to study elevated temperature creep relaxation of residual stress and the development of reheat cracking creep damage. Residual strains within the specimens were measured using diffraction techniques before and after thermal exposure. A three-dimensional finite element model was developed both to predict the residual stress within the specimens before and after thermal exposure. No reheat cracking was found near surface, but due to the reduced creep ductility with increasing hydrostatic stress, significant creep cavitation was found mid-thickness. A previously developed creep damage model was applied to predict the onset of reheat cracking. Good correlation has been found between measurements and finite element predictions of strain and stress before and after thermal exposure. The extent of creep damage has also been assessed through destructive examination, providing validation for the creep damage prediction model.     

The transpassive dissolution mechanism of highly alloyed stainless steels: II. Effect of pH and solution anion on the kinetics

The transpassive dissolution of austenitic stainless steels (AISI 316L, AISI 904L, 254SMO and 654SMO) in a 0.5 M sulphate solution with pH 2 was studied by conventional and rotating ring–disc voltammetry, as well as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The main process in the transpassive potential region was found to be the release of soluble Cr(VI), while small amounts of lower-valency Cr or Mo species are released as well. Secondary passivation readily occurs for AISI 316L, whereas the remaining highly alloyed steels dissolve at high current densities in the whole potential range studied. The dissolution rate was found to increase in the order AISI 904L<254SMO<654SMO. Thus it can be correlated to the increase in the Cr and especially Mo content of the steel substrate. The impedance spectra contain contributions from the transpassive dissolution of Cr and secondary passivation, probably due to enrichment of Fe in the outermost layer of the surface film. A kinetic model of the process is proposed, including a two-step transpassive dissolution of Cr via a Cr(VI) intermediate and the dissolution of Fe(III) through the anodic film. The model was found to be in quantitative agreement with steady state current vs. potential curves and electrochemical impedance spectra. The kinetic parameters of transpassive dissolution were determined and the relevance of their values is discussed.     

加氢反应器不锈钢堆焊熔合区氢剥离行为的分析

针对309L+347L双层不锈钢带极堆焊工艺,采用高温、高压釜试验方法进行了氢剥离试验研究,试验发现氢剥离裂纹萌生于紧靠熔合区硬化带的纯奥氏体晶界并沿平行于硬化带的奥氏体晶界扩展.结果表明,氢剥离的主要机制是H原子在硬化带与奥氏体不锈钢结合界面高度聚集,造成紧靠硬化带的纯奥氏体晶界脆化,在结合界面高剪应力的作用下,裂纹萌生和扩展.采用较小的焊接热输入,抑制309L堆焊层奥氏体晶粒过分长大并保证铁素体含量;采用合理的焊后热处理,减小硬化带厚度及控制加氢反应器停运的冷却速度是防止氢剥离的有效措施.     

Dissimilar welding of AISI 310 austenitic stainless steel to nickel-based alloy Inconel 657

The current work was carried out to characterize welding of AISI 310 austenitic stainless steel to Inconel 657 nickel–chromium superalloy. The welds were produced using four types of filler materials; the nickel-based corresponding to Inconel 82, Inconel A, Inconel 617 and 310 austenitic stainless steels. This paper describes the selection of welding consumables for the joint. The comparative evaluation was based on hot-cracking tests (Varestraint test) and estimation of mechanical properties. According to Varestraint tests, Inconel A showed the least susceptibility to hot cracking. In tension tests, all weldments failed in the weaker parent metals (i.e., Inconel 657). Moreover, Inconel A weldment had the highest strength and total elongation. On the other hand, the weld metals failed by ductile fracture except Inconel 617, which exhibited mixed fracture mode. At last, it was concluded that Inconel A filler material offered the best compromise for the joint between Inconel 657 and 310 stainless steel.     

Effect of Strain Rate on Stress Corrosion Cracking of 316L Austenitic Stainless Steel in Boiling MgCl2 Environment

Stress corrosion cracking behaviors of AISI 316L austenitic stainless steel at slow strain rates in two environments of air and MgCl₂ at ambient temperature and 154 °C were investigated. The results revealed that a decrease in strain rate, during testing in boiling MgCl₂ environment, led to a rigorous deterioration of the mechanical properties of the material, causing brittleness of the steel. The results obtained from fractography indicated that the samples tested in air had typical ductile fracture surface appearances, while the fracture surfaces of the samples tested in a corrosive environment showed a combination of intergranular and transgranular fracture modes, having a brittle macroscopic appearance. The transgranular mode became predominant as strain rate decreased. The results suggested that the presence of deformation bands in front of crack tips were responsible for transgranular cracking caused by stress corrosion.     

Seawater resistance of a second generation superaustenitic stainless steel

The first generation of superaustenitic 6Mo steels like 254 SMO® has been further developed into a new steel–654 SMO®–containing very high amounts of those alloying elements most beneficial for the resistance to localized corrosion. 654 SMO is compared with other stainless steels and nickel-base alloys in tests performed in various kinds of seawater. The new steel is much superior to the 6Mo steel under all conditions investigated and compares favourably with Alloy C–276 in most tests. The most corrosive condition among those investigated represents a seawater system where aerobic and anaerobic areas exist simultaneously.     

奥氏体不锈钢热轧边裂实验研究

奥氏体不锈钢Cr15Mn9Cu2NiN在热轧过程中容易产生边裂.在热模拟试验机上开发出热轧实验装置,进行热轧实验,分析该不锈钢边部裂纹产生的原因.结果表明,压下量达到一定程度时,在所有变形温度下,试样边部均会产生裂纹,裂纹均沿奥氏体晶界扩展.在1000～1150℃变形时裂纹倾向较大,分析认为这与奥氏体不锈钢在此温度区间内的延性下降有关.在该温度区间内,轧后试样的微观组织具有晶粒租大和晶粒内部变形亚结构与孪晶共同存在的特征,而在1200℃变形时,晶粒尺寸较小,晶粒内部的变形亚结构和孪晶全部消失.