Dissolution behaviour of stainless steel weld metals during active potential range: A calculational approach

Uniform or localised corrosion resistance of stainless steels is attributed to the presence of a tenacious passive film formed on the surface, the thickness and chemical composition of which depends on the applied potential. The protective properties of such films depend on the bulk composition of the alloy, presence of secondary phases and elemental segregation. In this paper the role of Cr, Mo and ferrite content on the anodic dissolution behaviour of type 316 austenitic stainless steel weld metals has been investigated. A calculational approach was tried in order to qualitatively understand the behaviour of the stainless steel weld metals with different chemical compositions and heat inputs. Extensive iterative calculations were carried out by using the experimental data on the anodic current values to arrive at the results.     

Surface properties of liquid metals and their effects on weldability

Abstract

The levitating–drop method has been used to determine surface tension as a function of temperature for four transition metals, and also for samples of type 316 stainless steel which exhibited variable weld penetration during tungsten-inert-gas welding. The results obtained verify the predictions of weld-pool models in that the differences in weldability of the steels can be related to the surface properties of the melts. To obtain good weldability in type 316 steels, it is necessary to ensure that the concentration of uncombined surface-active elements (such as sulphur) should exceed a specified minimum level. An indication of the amounts required for consistent weld penetration is given.

MST/194     

Impact behavior of different stainless steel weldments at low temperatures

A comparative study was made of the fracture behavior of austenitic and duplex stainless steel weldments at cryogenic temperatures by impact testing. The investigated materials were two austenitic (304L and 316L) and one duplex (2505) stainless steel weldments. Shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) and tungsten inert gas welding (TIG) were employed as joining techniques. Instrumented impact testing was performed between room and liquid nitrogen (?196 °C) test temperatures. The results showed a slight decrease in the impact energy of the 304L and 316L base metals with decreasing test temperature. However, their corresponding SMAW and TIG weld metals displayed much greater drop in their impact energy values. A remarkable decrease (higher than 95%) was observed for the duplex stainless steel base and weld metals impact energy with apparent ductile to brittle transition behavior. Examination of fracture surface of tested specimens revealed complete ductile fracture morphology for the austenitic base and weld metals characterized by wide and narrow deep and shallow dimples. On the contrary, the duplex stainless steel base and weld metals fracture surface displayed complete brittle fracture morphology with extended large and small stepped cleavage facets. The ductile and brittle fracture behavior of both austenitic and duplex stainless steels was supplemented by the instrumented load–time traces. The distinct variation in the behavior of the two stainless steel categories was discussed in light of the main parameters that control the deformation mechanisms of stainless steels at low temperatures; stacking fault energy, strain induced martensite transformation and delta ferrite phase deformation.     

The effect of preheat & post weld heat treatment on the laser weldability of AISI 420 martensitic stainless steel

The martensitic stainless steels are widely used in many industries with their excellent mechanical properties and sufficient corrosion resistance. These steels usually are used for a wide range of applications like nuclear power plants, steam generators, mixer blades, pressure vessels, turbine blades, surgical tools, instrument manufacturing and so on. Contrary to good mechanical and corrosion properties of martensitic steels, poor weldability and cold cracking sensitivity are major problems that are faced in joining of these steels. In this study, the weldability of AISI 420 (X30Cr13) martensitic stainless steel by CO₂ laser beam welding method has been investigated. Effects of pre and post weld heat treatments on mechanical properties and microstructure of laser welded AISI 420 martensitic stainless have also been determined. As a conclusion, it was determined that pre and post weld heat treatments sufficiently improved the mechanical properties of the welds.     

Characterization of weld strength and impact toughness in the multi-pass welding of super-duplex stainless steel UNS 32750

This paper investigates the weldability, metallurgical and mechanical properties of the UNS 32750 super-duplex stainless steels joints by Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) employing ER2553 and ERNiCrMo-4 filler metals. Impact and tensile studies envisaged that the weldments employing ER2553 exhibited superior mechanical properties compared to ERNiCrMo-4 weldments. Microstructure studies performed using optical and SEM analysis clearly exhibited the different forms of austenite including widmanstatten austenite on the weld zone employing ER2553 filler. Also the presented results clearly reported the effect of filler metals on strength and toughness during the multi-pass welding. This research article addressed the improvement of tensile and impact strength using appropriate filler wire without obtaining any deleterious phases.     

Hydrogen—induced Cracking of Weld Metal of Austenitic Stainless Steels

For 308L and 347L weld metals of austenitc stainless steels(ASS) ,hydrogen induced cracking(HIC) occurred during dynamically charging under costant load.The threshold stress intensity for HIC,KIH,decreased linearly with the logarithm of the concentration of diffusible hydrogen Co in the weld metals and the rolled plate of type 304L ASS.i,e ,KIH=85.2-10.7ln Co(308L),KIH=76.1-9.3ln Co(347L) ,and KIH=91.7-10.0lnCo(304L).The fracture mode for HIC in the three type of ASS changed from ductile to brittle with the decrease in the applied stress intensity Ki or /and the increase in Co .The boundary line between ductile and brittle fracture surfaces was KI-54 25ep(-Co/153)=0.     

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.     

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.     

Hot ductility of simulated stainless-steel weld metals

Simulation of stainless-steel weld metals was performed using a Gleeble-1500 thermomechanical simulator. Two classes of materials were investigated, including both fully austenitic and austenitic-ferritic stainless steels. The niobium content varied within each class. The simulation comprised heating to melting point, melting for a short time, and cooling to a number of temperatures, at which point the samples were fractured under a tensile load. The hot ductility, in terms of reduction of area, was measured. Metallographic examinations were performed using both optical and electron microscopy. The hot ductilities of the austenitic-ferritic weld metals investigated were superior to those of fully austenitic weld metals of corresponding niobium content. The beneficial effects of ferrite were found to decrease with increasing niobium content. The effect of niobium on hot ductility was detrimental, i.e. an increase in niobium content resulted in a decrease in hot ductility which was attributed to the formation of (FeCrNi)₂Nb-, a low melting eutectic, along the austenitic grain boundaries. The criterion of hot ductility by simulation of the weld metals was also found to be reliable for evaluating susceptibility to solidification cracking.     

Small-scale resistance spot welding of austenitic stainless steels

Small-scale resistance spot welding (SSRSW) was carried out for austenitic stainless steels. A weld lobe that shows the process window for making sound joints was obtained for type 304 stainless steel thin sheets, and the effects of welding current, force and weld time on joint strength and nugget size were investigated. The cooling rate that was estimated from the solidification cell size was approximately 2.4 × 10⁵ K/s which is almost similar to that produced by laser beam welding. The microstructures of weld zones were almost fully austenitic due to the rapid solidification rate. Despite the fully austenitic microstructure, no hot cracking was found in types 302, 304, 316L, 310S and 347 austenitic stainless steels by SSRSW. Rapid cooling rate in SSRSW made it difficult to predict the microstructures from the conventional Schaeffler diagram.     

Microstructure characterization and properties of carbon steel to stainless steel dissimilar metal joint made by friction welding

Dissimilar metals of 1045 carbon steel and 304 stainless steel are joined successfully by friction welding. The microstructure variation and mechanical properties are studied in detail. The weld interface can be clearly identified in central zone, while the two metals interlock with each other by the mechanical mixing in peripheral zone. On carbon steel side, a thin proeutectoid ferrite layer forms along weld interface. On stainless steel side, austenite grains are refined to submicron scale. The δ-ferrite existing in stainless steel decreases from base metal to weld interface and disappears near the weld interface. Severe plastic deformation plays a predominant role in rapid dissolution of δ-ferrite compared with the high temperature. Carbide layer consisting of CrC and Cr₂₃C₆ forms at weld interface because of element diffusion. Metastable phase CrC is retained at room temperature due to the highly non-equilibrium process and high cooling rate in friction welding. The fracture appearance shows dimple fracture mode in central zone and quasi-cleavage fracture mode in peripheral zone. Further analysis indicates that welding parameters govern tensile properties of the joint through influencing the thickness of carbide layer at weld interface and heterogeneous microstructure in thermo-mechanically affected zone on carbon steel side.     

异种钢的焊接研究现状

异种钢焊接时由于其化学成分与性能的较大差异,容易导致焊接裂纹、焊缝组织不均匀及性能稳定性差等问题,许多研究者对不同强度级别的低合金高强钢、异种不锈钢以及复合钢板的焊接进行了大量试验研究及理论分析。针对不同类型的异种钢焊接研究进行了综述,分析了异种钢焊接的特点,并对常见的问题进行了探讨,概述了国内外异种钢的焊接方法、工艺措施及接头性能等方面的研究现状,并对异种钢的焊接研究及其应用进行了展望。     

Schweißzusatzwerkstoffe können/müssen nicht immer die Anforderungen der Grundwerkstoffe erfüllen

Weld metal as strong as base metal? The development of new steels is always a challenge for the manufacturer of filler metals. In many cases it is obvious that some properties of the base metal cannot be fulfilled with matching filler metals. In some cases, dissimilar filler metals can solve the problem in some cases, there is no chance to meet the requirements of the base metal (for example yield strengths of new ultra high strength steels). This paper deals with different kinds of new steels and the requirements for the weld metal with examples from motor car industry (Mangan Austenite), crane (Ultra high strength steels), earthmoving machinery (Wear‐resistant steels) and offshore (Supermartensitic steels). Specific problems will be discussed and best solutions will be highlighted. These examples make clear that the success of new kinds of steels in the market depends on solving the joining problems of these steels.     

Microstructural evaluation of molybdenum-containing stainless steel weld metals by a potentiostatic etching technique

Microstructure of austenitic stainless steel weld metals is complicated by the presence of delta-ferrite and microsegregated regions rich in chromium and molybdenum, as well as other minor alloying elements such as sulphur and phosphorus at the / interphase boundaries. Detailed microstructural studies are required in order to establish correlation between various metallurgical as well as electrochemical corrosion properties with the weld metal microstructure. The conventional chemical etching technique was found to be inadequate in revealing different microconstituents. A powerful potentiostatic etching technique was used to reveal not only ferrite but also different microconstituents that had different specific electrochemical potentials at which they dissolved. This paper describes the weld metal microstructure developed by the addition of molybdenum (4.16–5.83 wt%) to type 316 stainless steel weld metals during Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding with different heat inputs. © 1998 Chapman & Hall     

Creep of austenitic stainless steel welds

Austenitic stainless steels (SS) find extensive application in power, petrochemical and nuclear industries in view of their excellent elevated temperature mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, formability and weldability. However, they are susceptible to hot cracking during fusion welding. To avoid this problem, chemical composition of the welding consumable is generally adjusted to promote primary ferrite mode of solidification and retain about 3 to 10%δ-ferrite in the as-welded condition. The duplex microstructure of the weld metal undergoes transformation to carbides and a variety of intermetallic phases during elevated temperature service and causes deterioration in the mechanical properties. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the current understanding of the solidification microstructures, ageing processes and their influence on the creep behaviour of types 308 and 316 SS weld metals. The effects of varying chemical composition,δ-ferrite content, electrode coating and welding processes on creep strength and ductility are examined. Current trends in the design of welded components for creep application are also discussed.     

The Influence of Shielding Gas on Notch Toughness of Stainless Steel Weld Metals

The study aims to examine how the notch toughness of stainless steel weld metals are influenced by the shielding gas. The compositions of shielding gas have significant effect on the notch toughness of the stainless steel weld metal using solid wires, but only slight effect while using flux-cored wires. Inclusions and/or delta-ferrite have pronounced effects on the notch toughness of all the deposited metals. Both vermicular and lathy ferrite are observed, and the ferrite content is decreased by increasing the amount of CO₂ in the Ar + CO² mixtures in both group samples.     

Microstructure characterization in the weld metals of HQ130 + QJ63 high strength steels

Microstructural characterization of the weld metals of HQ130 + QJ63 high strength steels, welded under 80% Ar + 20% CO₂ gas shielded metal arc welding and different weld heat inputs, was carried out by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The relative contents of acicular ferrite (AF) and pro-eutectic ferrites (PF) in the weld metals were evaluated by means of XQF-2000 micro-image analyser. The experimental results indicate that there is acicular ferrite in the grain and some pro-eutectic ferrite on the boundary of original austenite grains when the weld heat input is small (E = 9.6 kJ/cm), but the main microstructure is ferrite side plate (FSP) when the heat input is larger (E = 22.3 kJ/cm). So the weld heat input should be strictly controlled in the range 10 ∼ 20 kJ/cm and then the content of pro-eutectic ferrite is limited to < 25%. Thus weld metals of HQ130 + QJ63 high strength steels with high toughness and excellent resistance to cracking can be ensured.     

Mechanical and Galvano-chemistry Property Variation within Dissimilar Metal Weld between 1Cr18Ni9Ti and 1Cr13 Stainless Steel

The purpose of this study is to discuss the microstructure and properties variation of the weld metal in the dissimilar stainless steels during the argon tungsten-arc welding process.Because of the existence of different materials and chemistry variation within welds,properties,such as tensile and fracture properties and so on,are expected to show spatial variation.In the study,microstructures were observed by optical and electron microscopy.Good appearance and uniform structure and typical dendrite structu...     

Friction stir welding of AISI 304 austenitic stainless steel

The objective of this work is to demonstrate the feasibility of friction stir welding (FSW) AISI 304 austenitic stainless steels. The tool used was formed of a tungsten‐based alloy. The specimens were welded on an 11 kW vertical milling machine. Defect‐free welds were produced on 2.5 mm plates of hot‐rolled AISI 304 austenitic stainless steels at travel speeds ranging from 40 to 100 mm/min with a constant rotating speed of 1000 rpm. Tensile strengths and hardness values of the weld interface were determined and microstructure features of these samples were investigated.     

Effect of aging on fracture behaviour of cast stainless steel and weldments

Abstract

An investigation has been undertaken to determine the magnitude of any reduction in properties that may occur in cast duplex stainless steels and weldments during long term exposure to reactor operating conditions. Test panels were fabricated in CF3 stainless steel using a manual metal arc (MMA) process and 19.9.L consumables. The mechanical properties of the parent material and weldments were measured following accelerated aging at 375 and 400°C for up to 20 000 h. Following aging at temperatures up to 400°C, reductions in both the Charpy impact and J integral–crack growth resistance R (J–R) fracture toughness of CF3 cast austenitic steel and 19.9.L austenitic weld metal were observed. For conditions equivalent to the proposed end of life for UK pressurised water reactors, the J–R fracture toughness at 300°C of both cast steel and MMA weld metal was reduced by ~30% for crack extensions of ≥1 mm. Hence, it is important that these reductions in weld metal toughness are taken into account during the development of safety cases and structural integrity assessments for any component in the primary loop that contains MMA stainless steel weldments.

MST/1198