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.     

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.     

Verification of numerical model to predict microstructure of austenitic stainless steel weld metal using synchrotron radiation and trans varestraint testing

Abstract

A numerical model to predict the microstructure of austenitic stainless steel weld metal is proposed, and spatially resolved X-ray diffraction measurements using synchrotron radiation have been carried out for Fe–20Cr–(9·8–14·4)Ni weld metals, quenched in liquid Sn, to verify the validity of the numerical model. X-ray diffraction analysis of Fe–20Cr–11·5Ni quenched weld metal, solidifying in the ferritic–austenitic mode, showed that the secondary γ phase crystallised in a eutectic growth mode down to a temperature drop of 6 K from the initiation of solidification. Also, from X-ray diffraction analysis of Fe–20Cr–12·7Ni quenched weld metal, which solidified in the austenitic–ferritic mode, it was found that the secondary δ phase crystallised in a eutectic growth mode within the temperature drop range between 15 and 21 K from the initiation of solidification. The crystallisation temperatures predicted by the numerical model for secondary γ and δ phases in Fe–20Cr–11·5Ni and Fe–20Cr–12·7Ni weld metals agreed with experimental data. Furthermore, it was found that the effect of Ni content on the solidification cracking susceptibility of Fe–20Cr–(9·8–14·4)Ni weld metal, determined via trans varestraint testing, agreed with the results calculated using the model. These agreements support the validity of the developed numerical model.     

Solidification cracking in low alloy steel welds

Abstract

The high solidification cracking susceptibility of low C steel weld metals was investigated using pure Fe model alloys containing 0–0·23%C, 0–5%Ni and 0–0·0144%B. In addition, a few Fe–C–Ni ternary alloys were also tested. Solidification cracking susceptibility was tested using longitudinal varestraint and transvarestraint tests. Cracking was evaluated using crack length and brittleness temperature range criteria. The Fe–C alloys showed high cracking tendency in two regimes, the first in the ultralow carbon range of 0·03–0·05%C and the second in a narrow band close to 0·1%C. The cracking was much more than that attributable to solute segregation. In Fe–Ni and Fe–B alloys, cracking was a function of alloy content. Solidification cracking due to C and Ni was higher in the ferritic mode of solidification compared to the austenitic, unlike in stainless steels, where the ferritic mode provides high resistance to cracking. In Fe-C-Ni ternary alloys, cracking could be better related to composition in terms of a variable coefficient for C in the Ni equivalent. In the vicinity of 0·1%C, cracking was attributable to shrinkage due to solid state transformation from δ to γ in the brittle temperature range, and is similar to that occurring during continuous casting of steel. However, this factor did not appear to play a role in cracking in the ultralow C range of 0·03–0·05%C.     

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.     

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.     

Effect of sodium on repair weldability of SUS316FR for a fast breeder reactor

The effect of sodium on repair weldability of SUS316FR steel under the remaining sodium environment was investigated by transverse-Varestraint and laser cladding tests. Solidification brittle temperature range (BTR) of SUS316FR steel with AF solidification mode was 37 K. However, BTR was expanded from 37 to 67 K, as the amount of surface-adhered sodium increased from 0 to 7.99 mg/cm². From microstructural observation of the weld metal, there would be a possibility that metallic sodium existed at cell boundaries in the weld metal during welding solidification. According to the thermodynamic calculation, the sodium would expand the solid–liquid coexistence temperature range. It could be concluded that the enhanced solidification cracking susceptibility under the sodium environment would be attributed to the enlargement of the solid–liquid coexistence temperature range. Finally, it was confirmed that any solidification cracks and blowholes did not occur in the overlaid weld metal through multipass laser cladding tests. Namely, it could be confirmed that SUS316FR steel possessed superior repair weldability under the sodium environment.     

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…     

Evaluation of weld metal hot cracking susceptibility in superaustenitic stainless steel

Solidification cracking susceptibilities of two types of superaustenitic stainless steel, 254SMO and SR50A, were evaluated by transverse Varestraint tests. The susceptibilities were compared with those of conventional austenitic stainless steel 316L, and factors influencing the difference of susceptibility were discussed. The comparison showed that 254SMO and SR50A are more sensitive to solidification cracking than 316L. In the transverse Varestraint tests, both total and maximum crack lengths are longer in the superaustenitic stainless steel. Because of the longer maximum crack length, the superaustenitic stainless steel also has a wider brittleness temperature range of cracking than 316L: about 178 °C for the superaustenitic stainless steel and 43 °C for 316L. It is believed that straight subgrain boundaries owing to the cellular dendritic solidification and segregations of sulfur and phosphorus in the subgrain boundaries of superaustenitic stainless steel make it more sensitive to solidification cracking. In addition to the solidification cracking, reheat cracking is also observed within the previous weld bead in the superaustenitic stainless steel because of fully austenitic solidification with significant segregations. This suggests that caution should be given to the occurrence of reheat cracking when superaustenitic stainless steel is multi pass welded.     

Criteria for hot cracking evaluation in austenitic stainless steel welds using longitudinal varestraint and transvarestraint tests

Abstract

The longitudinal varestraint test (LVT) and transvarestraint test (TVT) are widely used for assessment of weld metal cracking susceptibility. The TVT is preferred over the LVT for study of weld metal cracking. However, few reports exist that discuss the relative merits of the two tests for evaluating cracking susceptibility. This investigation was carried out to compare weldability assessments using the two tests and the relevant criteria for weldability evaluation. Several stainless steels solidifying in the austenitic and ferritic solidification modes were tested. The study shows that the LVT can be used for evaluation of fusion zone cracking through a maximum cracking distance criterion. This parameter correlated well with the maximum crack length in the TVT, traditionally used to derive the brittleness temperature range (BTR). The study further indicates that the total crack length can be related to the BTR by considering the area density of cracking.     

高氮奥氏体不锈钢氩弧焊的重熔特征

焊接性是影响高氮奥氏体不锈钢(高氮钢)应用的一个重要因素.为了研究高氮钢的焊接特性,对此钢进行氩弧焊重熔试验,分析了熔融时间对焊缝特性的影响.试验结果表明,随着熔融时间的增加,焊缝中铁素体的含量增加.同时发现焊缝中存在热裂纹、气孔等焊接缺陷.低熔点硫化物共晶相是焊缝具有较强裂纹敏感性的主要原因.熔融时间显著影响焊缝中气孔的形成.     

Evaluation of TIG flux welding on the characteristics of stainless steel

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of specific oxide fluxes on the surface appearance, weld morphology, retained δ ferrite content, hot cracking susceptibility, angular distortion and mechanical properties obtained with the tungsten inert gas (TIG) process applied to the welding of 5 mm thick austenitic stainless steel plates. An autogenous gas tungsten arc welding process was applied to stainless steels through a thin layer of activating flux to produce a bead on plate welded joint. The MnO₂ and ZnO fluxes used were packed in powdered form. The experimental results indicated that the 80% MnO₂–20% ZnO mixture can give full penetration and also a satisfactory surface appearance for type 304 stainless steel TIG flux welds. TIG welding with MnO₂ and/or ZnO can increase the measured ferrite number in welds, and tends to reduce hot cracking susceptibility in as welded structures. It was also found that TIG flux welding can significantly reduce the angular distortion of stainless steel weldments.     

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.     

Microstructure and pitting corrosion of similar and dissimilar stainless steel welds

Abstract

Pitting Corrosion behaviour of similar and dissimilar metal welds of three classes of stainless steels, namely, austenitic stainless steel (AISI 304), ferritic stainless steel (AISI 430) and duplex stainless steel (AISI 2205), has been studied. Three regions of the weldment, i.e. fusion zone, heat affected zone and unaffected parent metal, were subjected to corrosion studies. Electron beam and friction welds have been compared. Optical, scanning electron microscopy and electron probe analysis were carried out to determine the mechanism of corrosion behaviour. Dissimilar metal electron beam welds of austenitic–ferritic (A–F), ferritic–duplex (F–D) and austenitic–duplex stainless steel (A–D) welds contained coarse grains which are predominantly equiaxed on austenitic and duplex stainless steel side while they were columnar on the ferritic stainless steel side. Microstructural features in the central region of dissimilar stainless steel friction welds exhibit fine equiaxed grains due to dynamic recrystallisation as a result of thermomechanical working during welding and is confined to ferritic stainless steel side in the case of A–F, D–F welds and duplex stainless steel side in the case of D–A welds. Beside this region bent and elongated grains were observed on ferritic stainless steel side in the case of A–F, D–F welds and duplex stainless steel side in the case of D–A welds. Interdiffusion of elements was significant in electron beam welding and insignificant in friction welds. Pitting corrosion has been observed to be predominantly confined to heat affected zone (HAZ) close to fusion boundary of ferritic stainless steel interface of A–F electron beam and D–F electron beam and friction weldments. The pitting resistance of stainless steel electron beam weldments was found to be lower than that of parent metal as a result of segregation and partitioning of alloying elements. In general, friction weldments exhibited better pitting corrosion resistance due to lower incidence of carbides in the microstructure.     

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.     

Evaluation of properties in laser welds of A6061‐T6 aluminium alloy

In order to clarify the effect of tip velocity on the weld solidification process of hot-work tool steel (SKD61) during welding, information about microstructure evolution was obtained by the combination of a liquid tin quenching and time resolved X-ray diffraction technique using intense synchrotron radiation. From the experimental results, it was found that the solidification mode was changed from FA mode (L → L+δ → L+δ+γ → L+γ → γ) to A mode (L → L+γ → γ) at high tip velocity. Moreover, the effect of tip velocity on the microstructure selection during solidification between the primary δ, ferrite and the primary γ, austenite was theoretically proven by the Kurz, Giovanola and Trivedi model. Therefore, it was understood that the solidification cracking susceptibility of hot-work tool steel (SKD61) weld metal was increased due to the δ to γ transition of the primary phase.     

不同热处理态的304和321奥氏体不锈钢在氯化铵环境中的应力腐蚀行为对比研究

目的 对比研究原始、固溶和敏化态的304和321奥氏体不锈钢在模拟加氢催化氯化铵环境中的应力腐蚀（SCC）行为及机理。方法 将304和321奥氏体不锈钢经过热处理制备成固溶和敏化态试样,采用U形弯试样在模拟加氢催化氯化铵环境中浸泡的应力腐蚀试验方法对其进行研究,通过观察U形弯弧顶的腐蚀形貌和开裂时间,并结合腐蚀及裂纹的SEM照片和电化学测试结果进行分析。结果 原始和固溶状态304不锈钢U形弯试样在氯化铵溶液环境中开裂时间为25 d左右,断口形貌分别为穿晶断口和沿晶断口;敏化态试样18 d后发生开裂,断口形貌为穿晶和沿晶的混合断口。原始和固溶态321不锈钢U形弯试样在该环境中经过39 d均无应力腐蚀裂纹;敏化试样经30 d后产生宏观开裂。电化学测试结果显示,不同热处理态的304不锈钢在氯化铵溶液中均具有明显的点蚀敏感性,321不锈钢在该环境中耐点蚀和应力腐蚀的能力优于304不锈钢。结论 不同状态的304不锈钢在高温氯化铵环境中具有较强的应力腐蚀倾向,特别是敏化态试样;321不锈钢在该环境中的应力腐蚀敏感性相对较小,但敏化处理显著增加了其沿晶应力腐蚀倾向,而固溶态试样具有明显的沿晶腐蚀特征。     

Clarification on development of skeletal and lathy ferrite morphologies in stainless steel welds

Abstract

Inoue and co-workers have quoted the present authors as reporting that lacy (or lathy) ferrite in austenitic stainless steel welds forms only during single phase ferrite solidification (F). It was actually reported that both lathy and skeletal ferrite morphologies had been observed in single phase ferrite solidified welds. However, it was also reported that these two ferrite morphologies were observed in F/A (primary ferrite with secondary solidification as austenite) solidified welds. The aim of this letter is to clarify that both ferrite morphologies were observed in both F and F/A solidification modes.     

Cl–对冷变形316L奥氏体不锈钢在H2S环境下应力腐蚀的影响

目的研究H2S环境下不同Cl^-浓度对冷变形316L奥氏体不锈钢应力腐蚀行为的影响,探究Cl^-造成影响的原因,为不锈钢安全服役提供理论数据。方法采用力学方法研究了冷变形316L奥氏体不锈钢的力学行为,通过计算延伸率损失表征材料的应力腐蚀敏感性,通过电化学手段表征了点蚀电位。最后为了研究点蚀与基体中氢含量的关系,进行了扩散氢含量的测试,通过测量试样的扩散氢含量,进一步理解应力腐蚀行为。结果随着Cl^-浓度的增加,316L奥氏体不锈钢的延伸率损失逐渐增大,应力腐蚀敏感性增强。断口形貌从杯状的等轴韧窝转变为解理型脆性断裂。动电位极化测试表明,Cl^-浓度的增加,点蚀电位逐渐降低,直至–0.0228V,试样更容易发生点蚀。扩散氢含量的测量进一步显示了点蚀坑的存在促进了氢进入到金属内部。结论 Cl^-对316L奥氏体不锈钢在H2S环境中的应力腐蚀行为有重要影响,随着Cl^-浓度的增加,应力腐蚀敏感性增强,结合点蚀电位的测量结果,可能是由于Cl^-破坏金属表面的钝化膜,产生点蚀坑,裂纹形核并扩展,同时点蚀坑还促进了氢进入金属内部,应力腐蚀敏感性增强。     

焊缝金属对SUPER 304H奥氏体耐热钢焊接性的影响

综述了焊缝金属对SUPER 304H钢焊接性的影响。结果表明,SUPER 304H钢不同成分GTAW奥氏体焊缝的热裂纹倾向较大;焊缝中凝固裂纹倾向主要是受A凝固模式控制,而HAZ液化裂纹倾向的主要原因则与晶界析出相,以及铜的富集等因素有关。不同成分奥氏体焊缝接头的力学性能各异;合适的焊缝化学成分和优化的焊接工艺是获得满意接头综合力学性能的重要技术手段。不同成分形成的"同质"或"异质"焊缝,其微观组织皆为奥氏体+析出相。熔化焊焊缝为A凝固模式,非熔化焊的摩擦焊焊缝为AF凝固(相转变)模式。