Effect of post-weld heat treatments on microstructure and mechanical properties of electron beam welded flow formed maraging steel weldment

Abstract

Seamless tubing of C-250 maraging steel manufactured by the flow forming technique was joined by the electron beam welding process. Various post-welding heat treatments were conducted to improve the overall mechanical properties of the welded tubing. For the 480°C/6 h/air cooling post-weld aging treated maraging steel, a significant increment of 11% reversion austenite was present in the weld metal. Only the tensile strength of this aging treated metal met the required specification while its percentage elongation reached only 50% of the specification, attaining only 35% of the strength of the parent metal. For the post-welded solution + aging treated maraging steel, only the yield strength met the specification. Moreover, a significant amount of reversion austenite pools was also present at the grain boundaries of the material located at the weld metal. Although the homogenisation treatment could improve the hardness of the weld metal, it failed to have the tensile strength of the steel met the specification.     

Investigation into Microstructures of Maraging Steel 250 Weldments and Effect of Post-Weld Heat Treatments

This study was undertaken to gain a better understanding of microstructures obtained by multipass gas tungsten arc welding in maraging steel grade 250. Metallography and microhardness measurements were carried out on sheet and welded joints in as-welded and post-weld aged conditions. It was found that there was a significant amount of reverted austenite formed on cell boundaries of weld metal after aging at 758-823 K for 3-5 h, and was stable at room temperature. Aging at higher temperatures led to an increase in the continuous network of patchy austenite along the cell boundaries. The reason for the above, in our opinion, is the concentrational heterogeneity which characterizes the microstructure of maraging steel welds. No reverted austenite was observed in as-welded specimens. Solution annealing at 1093 K for 1 h did not completely eliminate the chemical heterogeneity associated with weld structures. However, homogenizing at 1373 K produced homogenous structure that on subsequent aging produces austenite-free lath martensitic structure.     

固溶温度对超纯净18Ni(350)马氏体时效钢断裂韧性及微观组织的影响

研究了在1083—1483K温度范围内，固溶温度对超纯净18Ni(350)马氏体时效钢断裂韧性(KIC)的影响．通过透射电镜(TEM)研究了马氏体时效钢微观组织的变化，结合相变曲线和断口扫描电镜(SEM)观察，探讨了固溶温度对断裂韧性的影响机理．结果表明：超纯净马氏体时效钢的断裂韧性(KIC)随着固溶温度的升高或再结晶晶粒尺寸的长大而增加，不存在常见的Ti(C，N)在晶界偏聚而引起的“热脆”现象．固溶态马氏体时效钢由单一的马氏体板条组成，其形貌、间距以及位错密度不受固溶温度的影响．在时效过程中，随着固溶温度的升高或再结晶晶粒的粗化，Ni3(Mo，Ti)等时效析出相在晶界或板条界的偏聚程度逐渐加重并导致基体软化，合金元素Ni，Mo的富集诱发了逆转变奥氏体形成．这使裂纹尖端易于钝化而表现出韧窝状穿晶断裂和保持较高的断裂韧性．     

Effect of Aging Isothermal Time on the Microstructure and Room-Temperature Impact Toughness of Fe–24.8Mn–7.3Al–1.2C Austenitic Steel with κ-Carbides Precipitation

The microstructure and impact toughness of the as-cast Fe–24.8Mn–7.3Al–1.2C austenitic steel after solution treatment and subsequent aging treatment were investigated in the present work. Research on the κ-carbides precipitation behavior was carried out by transmission electron microscope. The results show that nano-sized coherent κ-carbides were obtained in the as-solutionized steel after aging treatment, which produced precipitation hardening. After being aging treated at 550 °C for 1 h, the steel with regular hexagonal grain structure exhibited a good combination of yield strength (~?574 MPa) and room-temperature impact toughness (~?168 J). In the present steel, the typical cube-on-cube orientation relationship between austenite and κ-carbides was observed. However, due to the long aging isothermal time and high C content, the coarse intergranular κ′-carbide was formed and grew along the austenite grain boundary, which caused this orientation relationship to be destroyed and a dramatical increase of the coherency strain energy at grain boundary. Furthermore, serious embrittlement of grain boundaries caused that cleavage cracks trend to propagate along the grain boundaries. Accordingly, the room-temperature impact toughness decreased sharply. After aging isothermal time prolonging to 13 h, the Charpy V-notch impact toughness was only ~?5 J and fracture mode turned to fully brittle fracture accompanied with flat facets, shear cracks and well-developed secondary crack.     

Alternative PWHT to Improve High-Temperature Mechanical Properties of Advanced 9Cr Steel Welds

Creep-resistant 9Cr steels are extremely important in thermal power generation industry due to their marked resistance to creep and corrosion. The weldability of these alloys is critical since they are used in welded construction equipment. The required mechanical properties are achieved after post-weld heat treatment. This study examined the effect of different post-weld heat treatments on microstructure and mechanical properties of creep strength-enhanced 9Cr steel welding deposits. It was obtained with an experimental flux-cored arc welding wire used under protective gas (Ar-20% CO₂). The heat treatments used were: (1) tempering (760 °C?×?2 h), (2) solubilizing (1050 °C?×?1 h)?+?tempering (760 °C?×?2 h) and (3) solubilizing (1150 °C?×?1 h)?+?first tempering (660 °C?×?3 h)?+?second tempering (660 °C?×?3 h). All-weld metal chemical composition was analyzed, and hot tensile tests were carried out at different temperatures. Charpy-V impact tests and Vickers microhardness measurements were also performed. Microstructures were studied using x-ray diffraction and optical and scanning electron microscopy. In all cases, a martensitic matrix with intergranular and intra-granular precipitates was detected. In the as-welded condition, δ-ferrite was also found. Microhardness dropped, and the impact energy increased with post-weld heat treatments. The highest hot tensile strength result was achieved with samples submitted to austenization at 1150 °C and double tempering at 660 °C.     

Tensile properties and fracture toughness of 18Ni (250 grade) maraging steel weldments

Abstract

Gas tungsten arc welding was performed on 18Ni (250 grade) maraging steel sheet using two different filler wires: one of the same composition as the base material and the other containing more cobalt and aluminium and less molybdenum and titanium. Weld specimens were then aged under four different sets of conditions. After metallographic characterisation, mechanical properties including hardness, tensile strength and ductility, and fracture toughness were evaluated. Results showed that use of the matching filler material led to lower strength but higher ductility than in the other case; this was attributed to the presence of reverted austenite in the former (caused by segregation, especially of molybdenum) at the fusion zone substructure boundaries. In both types of weld metal, a re-solution treatment followed by aging at 480°C resulted in optimum tensile properties. Fracture toughness of the aged weldments was in general close to that of the parent material aged at 480°C; some deterioration occurred only when welds with pronounced segregation were made at high temperature.     

Effect of post-weld heat treatment on the wear resistance of hardfacing martensitic steel deposits

The effect of different post-weld heat treatments on the microstructure and wear resistance of martensitic deposits were studied. The deposit was welded using a metal-cored tubular wire, in the flat welding position, on a 375 × 75 × 19 mm SAE 1010 plate, using 98% Ar–2% CO₂ shielding gas mixture and with an average heat input of 2.8 kJ/mm. The samples were heat treated at temperatures between 500 and 680°C for 2 h. Chemical composition, Vicker's microhardness and wear properties with AMSLER tests in a sliding condition were determined. In the as welded condition, the microstructure was principally composed of martensite and retained austenite. Significant variations in wear resistance and hardness were measured for different tempering temperatures. For the different heat-treated conditions, it was observed that the decomposition of retained austenite to martensite and carbide precipitation was associated with the tempering of martensite. A secondary hardness effect was detected with maximum hardness of 710 HV for 550°C heat treatment temperature. The best performance in wear test was obtained for this condition. Wear rates for the different conditions were obtained and mathematical expressions were developed. For each case, wear mechanisms were analyzed.     

Grain growth behaviour and high strain rate tensile properties of gas tungsten arc welds in iridium alloy DOP–26

Abstract

The high strain rate tensile ductilities of gas tungsten arc welds in an Ir–0.3 wt-%W alloy containing 60 wt-ppm Th (designated DOP–26) have been determined at test temperatures of 900–1200°C. Within this temperature range, the welded specimens of DOP–26 exhibited tensile ductilities of 9–15%, independent of the test temperature. These values are comparable to those of unwelded DOP–26 tensile specimens tested at temperatures below 1000°C, but significantly lower than (approximately half) those of unwelded DOP–26 tested above 1000°C. Elongation measurements at points along the gauge length of tensile tested specimens indicated that ductility was fairly uniform across the base metal and weld regions. At a tensile test temperature of 900°C, fracture occurred in the base metal with a mixed intergranular–transgranular failure mode. At 980°C and above, fracture occurred along the grain boundaries in the centreline of the weld. Scanning electron microscopy of fracture surfaces revealed the presence of numerous secondary phase particles along grain boundaries in the weld region. These particles were rich in thorium and were identified as an Ir–Th eutectic phase (melting point ～2080°C) that formed as the weld pool cooled. These particles, and the larger grain size of the fusion zone compared with the base metal, contributed to the lower tensile ductilities of the welded specimens compared with unwelded specimens. Because high strain rate tensile ductility in this alloy is strongly dependent on grain size, the grain growth behaviour of welded specimens of the alloy was also studied. In as welded specimens, the average grain diameters (measured through the thickness of the specimens in a plane perpendicular to the welding direction) in the base metal, weld centreline, and fusion zone were ～21, 41, and 72 µm respectively. For annealing times up to 1065 h at 1400°C and up to 100 h at 1500°C, grain sizes in the weld centreline and in the fusion zone did not change significantly. For these same anneals the base metal grain size increased gradually to 45 and 58 µm for 1400 and 1500°C annealing respectively. The base metal grain sizes were comparable to previous data from unwelded specimens of this alloy. However, excessive grain growth for an annealing time of 250 h at 1500°C was observed and as yet is unexplained.     

超高强度马氏体时效不锈钢中逆转变奥氏体的析出与长大行为

研究了一种Cr-Ni-Co-Mo系超高强度马氏体时效不锈钢中逆转变奥氏体的析出与长大行为。结果表明,经540℃×4 h时效后钢的强度达到峰值1940 MPa,并有薄膜状逆转变奥氏体沿马氏体板条界上非连续析出,使钢具有良好的综合力学性能。时效初期逆转变奥氏体在马氏体板条、板条界或原奥氏体晶界处形核,随着保温时间的延长,薄膜状的逆转变奥氏体通过与扩散有关的形核长大方式生长,最终形成块状,并与板条马氏体间保持着K-S或N-W关系。     

Role of tandem submerged arc welding thermal cycles on properties of the heat affected zone in X80 microalloyed pipe line steel

The influence of thermal cycles on the properties of the coarse grained heat affected zone in X80 microalloyed steel has been investigated. The thermal simulated involved heating the X80 steel specimens to the peak temperature of 1400 °C, with different cooling rates. The four-wire tandem submerged arc welding process, with different heat input values, was used to generate a welded microstructure. The martensite/austenite constituent appeared in the microstructure of the heat affected zone region for all the specimens along the prior-austenite grain boundaries and between the bainitic ferrite laths. The blocky-like and stringer martensite/austenite morphology were observed in the heat affected zone region. The fractional area of M/A particles due to different cooling rate was the main factor in increasing of the hardness values in the coarse grained heat affected zone. The Charpy absorbed energy of specimens was assessed using Charpy impact testing at −50 °C. The martensite/austenite constituent's size such as mean diameter and length are important factors influencing Charpy impact properties of coarse grained heat affected zone. The micro crack nucleation may occur from M/A particles at the intersection of prior-austenite grain boundaries. Similar crack initiation sites and growth mechanism were investigated for specimens welded with different heat input values.     

Effects of inclusions on the precipitation of chi phases and intergranular corrosion resistance of hyper duplex stainless steel

During the initial stage of aging heat treatment at 850 °C, inclusions such as (Cr, Mn, Al) oxides and (Cr, Mn, Al, Fe) oxides of a hyper duplex stainless steel act as preferential precipitation sites for the chi phase like ferrite/austenite phase boundaries and ferrite/ferrite grain boundaries. The chi phase is precipitated around the inclusions due to the blocking and piling up the alloying elements such as Mo and W around the inclusions. The precipitation of Mo and W enriched chi phase around the inclusions decreases the intergranular corrosion resistance due to the formation of Mo and W depleted zones.     

Different Behavior in Electron Beam Welding of 18 Ni Co-free Maraging Steels

Microstructures of two different 18 Ni Co-free maraging specimens A and B and their electron beam (EB) weld joints were investigated comparatively by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It is shown that both of the steels are typical lath martensite; however, grain size of specimen A is about three times as large as that of specimen B. X-ray diffraction (XRD) reveals that the amount of the reverted austenitic phase in A is obviously less than that in B. Most of the austenite distributes in plate form along grain and lath boundaries while some of it distributes as fine particles within the matrix. The microstructural differences between the two specimens led to diverse behaviors in EB welding. The specimen A is weldable but B shows obvious welding defects of pits and burn-through holes in weld face. The welding microstructure exhibits a typical dendritic morphology, and the grains in the heat-affected zone recrystallized and grew because of high temperatures of welding EB. The weldablity of the examined materials is related to the microstructure characteristics that markedly affected thermal conduction performance.     

热处理对1Cr18Ni9Ti与2Cr13钢板焊接接头耐腐蚀性的影响

通过填丝钨极氩弧焊方法对1Cr18Ni9Ti与2Cr13钢板进行焊接,并对焊接接头进行焊后热处理.采用SEM对焊接接头热处理前后的组织进行观察及分析;采用模拟海水浸泡试验,测量了焊接接头的交流抗阻和极化曲线.结果表明,1Cr18Ni9Ti和2Cr13钢板焊接接头热处理前焊缝为典型的柱状晶,组织为板条马氏体+奥氏体+第二...     

Role of chromium on mechanical properties of Fe-Mn-Ni-Mo-Ti maraging steels

This experiment investigated the role of chromium in the mechanical properties of Fe-5Mn-9Ni-5Mo-1.5Ti maraging steels containing up to 3% chromium. Remarkable age-hardening responses were observed in the Fe-5Mn-9Ni-5Mo-1.5Ti and Cr-bcaring alloys. A ductile-brittle-ductile transition occurred in the Cr-bearing alloys during isothermal aging below 510°C. This was due to the segregation of titanium and manganese to prior austenite grain boundaries and their subsequent desegregation into the matrix. The addition of chromium to the base alloy considerably improved its ductility after aging at 520°C. From microstructure and AES analyses, it is suggested that chromium addition augments the volume fractions of (Fe,Mn)₂Mo and η-Ni₃Ti precipitates in the Fe-5Mn-9Ni-5Mo-Cr alloys, which act as sinks of manganese and titanium in the matrices. This resulted in the reduction of the alloying elements concentration in the matrix, which is followed by the reduction in the segregation level of the elements at prior austenite grain boundaries, and consequently enhanced intergranular fracture strength. The optimum combination of strength and ductility was obtained in the Fe-5Mn-9Ni-5Mo-3Cr-l.5Ti alloy aged at 520°C for 2 hr. and was σ_{0 2}=1721 MPa, σ_LS=1756 MPa. and ε,= 10.2%.     

Tribological Behavior of a Heat-Treated Cobalt-Based Alloy

The present study reviews the tribological behavior of a Co-Cr-Mo alloy regarding to microstructural changes caused by solution and aged heat treatments. The influence of microstructure on wear resistance was assessed in a pin-on-disk configuration. It was found that after a long solution heat treatment of 6 h at 1200 °C, most of the carbides were dissolved into the matrix, and coarse grain size was obtained. Solution treatment for 1 h presented fine grains and globular carbides along the matrix. Aging at 850 °C resulted in a quantity of phase transformation which was different from austenite face cubic centered to martensite hexagonal close packed (HCP); 35% of HCP was reached during 8 h of treatment and 60% for 15 h. As-cast condition and 6-h solution heat treatment exhibited the greatest wear loss, while 1-h solution treatment and samples containing HCP phase showed a threefold lower wear.     

Grain boundary embrittlement by Mn and eutectoid reaction in binary Fe–12Mn steel

The grain boundary embrittlement in a binary Fe–12Mn is due to the grain boundary segregation of Mn. During tempering at 400 °C (higher than the equilibrium eutectoid reaction temperature 247 °C), reverted austenite particles were formed at lath and grain boundaries through the equilibrium reaction of lath martensite to ferrite + austenite. Surprisingly, hydrostatic pressure, which is induced by the transformation of epsilon martensite to austenite during heating at the tempering temperature, resulted in the nonequilibrium eutectoid reaction producing α-Mn precipitates at the interface between lath martensite and the transformed austenite during the tempering. The segregation concentration kinetics of Mn formed a convex profile due to the active grain boundary precipitation of the reverted austenite particles and the α-Mn particles, which act as a sink for the segregated Mn. Finally, the convex segregation profile of Mn corresponded to the concave profile of intergranular fracture strength.     

T23钢再热裂纹敏感性的改善及其组织

通过高温时效方法分析了焊后未热处理T23水冷壁管焊接接头粗晶热影响区(coarse grained heat affected zone,CGHAZ)在服役过程中形成再热裂纹的微观机理,揭示了工程中未热处理T23水冷壁接头在机组启机后,短期运行容易发生开裂泄漏的内在原因. 采用材料表征手段对未时效和高温时效处理后的水冷壁焊接接头CGHAZ硬度、微观组织、析出物物相等进行系统分析. 结果表明,在530 ℃时效100 h后,CGHAZ硬度出现由晶内弥散强化导致的二次硬化现象,随着时效(运行)时间增加,CGHAZ硬度逐渐降低,但时效1000 h后,CGHAZ硬度仍有319 HV高于标准要求;在600 ℃温度下,随着时效时间的增加,CGHAZ硬度随之降低,组织回复、再结晶、马氏体板条宽化、位错密度降低、C元素及合金元素从基体析出等因素导致的CGHAZ硬度降低作用高于MX碳化物在晶内弥散析出导致的硬度升高,M₂₃C₆型碳(氮)化物在晶界、亚晶界逐渐析出和长大.

     

Ferrite to austenite reverse transformation process in B containing 9%Cr heat resistant steel HAZ

Abstract

Creep properties of the high Cr heat resistant steel welded joint can be improved by adding B due to prevention of the grain refinement in heat affected zone (HAZ). In the present study, phase transformation behaviour of the B steel HAZ has been investigated to understand suppression mechanism of the grain refinement. During reverse transformation, fine austenite was formed through diffusional transformation at the prior austenite grain boundary in the first stage, and then coarse austenite was formed at the same location of the original austenite. The volume fraction of the fine austenite increased with increasing perk temperature of the weld thermal cycle. This phenomenon can be explained if the coarse austenite contains high density of dislocations. Clear surface relief was observed during the reverse transformation by a confocal laser microscope. These results indicate that martensitic or displacive reverse transformation takes place during welding and it prevents the grain refinement in HAZ.     

EPR法评价HR3C钢焊接接头的晶间腐蚀敏感性

利用电化学动电位再活化法研究了HR3C钢焊接接头的晶间腐蚀敏感性,并通过金相显微镜、X-射线衍射仪、扫描电子显微镜及能谱仪研究了HR3C钢焊接接头的微观组织.结果表明,HR3C钢焊缝金属和焊接热影响区均为奥氏体+析出相组成,焊接接头具有较低的晶间腐蚀倾向.由于焊缝金属中Cr和Nb等元素含量高及晶界和枝晶界铌、铬元素偏析等原因提高了晶界耐腐蚀性,使其具有优异的抗晶间腐蚀性能;而热影响区由于受焊接热循环作用晶界析出M23C6引起晶界贫铬,具有一定的晶间腐蚀敏感性.     

Microstructure Stability During Creep of Friction Stir Welded AA2024-T3 Alloy

The poor weldability of the AA2024 aluminum alloy limits its use in industrial applications. Because friction stir welding (FSW) is a non-fusion welding process, it seems to be a promising solution for welding this alloy. In the current study, FSW was applied to butt weld AA2024-T3 aluminum alloy plates. Creep tests were conducted at 250 and at 315 °C on both the parent material and the friction stir welded specimens. The microstructures of the welded and non-welded AA2024-T3 specimens before and after the creep tests were studied and compared. A comprehensive transmission electron microscopy study together with a high-resolution scanning electron microscopy study and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy analysis was conducted to investigate the microstructure stability. The parent material seems to contain two kinds of Cu-rich precipitates—coarse precipitates of a few microns each and uniformly dispersed fine nanosized precipitates. Unlike the parent material, the crept specimens were found to contain the two kinds of precipitates mentioned above together with platelet-like precipitates. In addition, extensive decoration of the grain boundaries with precipitates was clearly observed in the crept specimens. Controlled aging experiments for up to 280 h at the relevant temperatures were conducted on both the parent material and the welded specimens in order to isolate the contribution of exposure to high temperatures to the microstructure changes. TEM study showed the development of dislocation networks into a cellular dislocation structure in the case of the parent metal. Changes in the dislocation structure as a function of the creep strain and the FSW process were recorded. A detailed creep data analysis was conducted, taking into account the instability of the microstructure.