Effect of interpass temperature on residual stresses in multipass welds produced using low transformation temperature filler alloy

Weld filler alloys that exploit transformation plasticity through low austenite to martensite transformation temperatures offer an effective method of reducing residual stresses in strong steel welds. However, in multipass welds, the heat input from later weld passes may be insufficient to retransform prior welding passes, leading to the accumulation of thermally induced strains and elevated residual stresses. In this work, the residual stress distributions produced around arc welds fabricated with a martensitic weld filler alloy that transforms at a low temperature have been studied as a function of the number of passes deposited and the interpass temperature. It is found that when the interpass temperature is above the transformation temperature of the weld metal, the entire multipass weld transforms as a single entity, thus permitting the optimum exploitation of the transformation plasticity. In contrast, the deposition of new metal with a relatively low interpass temperature leads to increased residual stresses in the underlying layers, reducing or eliminating the beneficial stress states previously created.     

In situ analysis of the strain evolution during welding using low transformation temperature filler materials

ABSTRACT

Compared to conventional welding consumables using low transformation temperature (LTT) filler materials is an innovative method to mitigate tensile residual stresses due to delayed martensite transformation of the weld. For the effective usage of LTT filler materials, a deeper understanding of the complex processes that lead to the final residual stress state during multi-pass welding is necessary. Transformation kinetics and the strain evolution of multi-pass welds during welding were investigated in situ at the beamline HEMS@PETRAIII, Germany. Compared to conventional welds, the total strain was reduced and compression strain was achieved when using LTT filler materials. For an optimal use of the LTT effect in the root of multi-pass welds, the alloying concept must be adapted taking care of dilution.     

Effect of low transformation temperature weld filler metal on welding residual stress

Abstract

The effect of weld filler metal austenite to acicular ferrite transformation temperature on the residual stresses that arise during the gas metal arc welding of a low carbon steel has been examined using a finite element model. It was found that the stress levels in the weld can be tailored by the appropriate selection of the filler metal and compressive, near zero or tensile residual stresses produced. Reasonable agreement was obtained between the model and the stresses measured using neutron diffraction both in welds using conventional and low transformation temperature filler metal.     

Effect of dilution on fatigue behaviour of welded joints produced by low-transformation-temperature fillers

ABSTRACT

Low-transformation-temperature (LTT) fillers with various martensitic transformation start (M_s) temperatures were used to produce fillet welds. In comparison with conventional welds, the fatigue strength of the LTT fillet welds offers a significant improvement, with a minimum increase of 145%. Owing to the substantial dilution of base metal, the Cr and Ni alloying elements in the LTT weld metals decrease, resulting in an increase of the M_s temperatures. Therefore, the fillet welds produced using the LTT filler material with the lower M_s temperature (92°C) exhibit a larger compressive residual stress and higher fatigue strength.     

Study on residual stress in socket weld by numerical simulation and experiment

In this paper, welding residual stress in socket weld of 304L stainless steel pipe was investigated using numerical simulation and validated by X-ray stress measurement. From the simulation results, the maximum tensile residual stresses were located at weld root and weld toe on both sides of the weld along pipe, which led to the fatigue failure. Pre-bevelling and low transformation temperature (LTT) dressing could decrease tensile residual stress both in hoop and axial direction at weld root and weld toe. After LTT dressing, compressive residual stress was generated throughout weld toe. Compressive stress can delay fatigue crack initiation and propagation. Therefore, pre-bevelling and LTT dressing can improve the fatigue life of socket weld.     

Effect of variant transformations in fusion zones of gas metal arc welds

Abstract

The macro- and microtextures of gas metal arc welds fabricated using both conventional ferritic and low transformation temperature (LTT) filler metals were examined. Both welds were largely composed of acicular ferrite. The weld textures were found to be distinct, which is observed to be due to variant selection during the austenite to ferrite transformation. In situ electron backscatter diffraction performed during thermal cycling of the LTT fusion zone into the austenite phase field confirmed that these transformations satisfy the expected crystallographic relationships. Implications for welding consumable design and finite element process modelling are drawn.     

Comparison of Microstructure and Residual Stress Between TIG and MAG Welding Using Low Transformation Temperature Welding Filler

A Cr–Ni type of low transformation temperature(LTT) welding filler was devised in the present study. The LTT weld microstructures of the tungsten inert gas(TIG) and metal active gas(MAG) weldings were investigated by using electron-backscattered diffraction and orientation imaging microscopy. The results showed that the LTT weld microstructures prepared by TIG and MAG weldings were primarily martensite with 17.5% and 8.0% retained austenite,respectively. The LTT weld metal using TIG welding had larger grain size than using MAG. In addition, based on the Taylor factor calculation, the weld metal using MAG welding was more competent in repressing fatigue crack initiation.Meanwhile, the high angle and coincidence site lattice grain boundaries were dominant in the LTT weld metal using MAG welding. Moreover, the hardness of the LTT weld metal using MAG welding was higher than that of using TIG. Based on heat input and phase transformation, finite element method was applied to analyzing the tensile residual stress(RS)reduction in welded joints prepared by both conventional and LTT welding fillers, respectively. The corresponding outcome confirmed that the LTT weld metal using MAG welding was more beneficial to tensile RS reduction.     

Transient thermal stress analysis on rapid post-weld heat treatments applied to flash butt welded rails

Abstract

A finite element (FE) model has been established to estimate the transient thermal stresses developed during rapid post-weld heat treatments (RPWHT) and post-weld quenching (PWQ) of rail flash butt welds. Rapid post-weld heat treatment parameters, such as heat flux intensity, location and heating duration, were varied. Altering the PWQ initiation times was also studied. The sequentially coupled thermomechanical FE model incorporated rate independent plasticity with a constitutive linear kinematic hardening rule. This described the inelastic behaviour of the rail material caused by post-weld thermal cyclic loadings. Representative temperature dependent thermal and mechanical properties including the pearlitic transformation behaviour of rail steel were also used in the FE model. Significant reduction of local tensile residual stresses in the web region of the weld was obtained by RPWHT applied to the entire foot region. RPWHT applied to both the web and the foot regions of the weld resulted in further reductions in vertical tensile residual stresses but a lesser effect on the longitudinal tensile residual stresses. A series of PWQ conditions, which were initiated after completion of the austenite–pearlite phase transformation, had significantly affected residual stresses. Numerical predictions revealed that PWQ initiated after transformation induced higher tensile residual stresses in the web region of the weld with respect to normal cooled welds, without affecting the microstructure.     

Basic alloy development of low-transformation-temperature fillers for AISI 410 martensitic stainless steel

ABSTRACT

This study discusses the effect of Ni content of low-transformation-temperature (LTT) fillers on welding residual stresses of AISI 410 plates. The plates were joined by LTT fillers with 11?wt-% Cr and varying Ni from 3 to 11?wt-%. Evaluation of varying Ni content on the martensitic transformation temperature (M_s) by dilatometric tests indicates that the M_s of LTT fillers decreases from 335°C to 67°C by increasing Ni wt-%. Residual stress measurements show the highest compressive longitudinal stress (?310?MPa) in the weld bead deposited by the LTT filler contained 7?wt-% Ni and M_s?=?202°C. This result is associated with the highest final expansion strain (0.37%) in this composition. Microstructural analyses show the presence of retained austenite by increasing the Ni more than 7?wt-%.     

相变塑性对低温相变钢焊接接头残余应力计算精度的影响

基于JWRIAN焊接数值模拟软件,开发了考虑固态相变的热-冶金-力学耦合的数值计算方法来模拟低温相变钢的焊接残余应力.重点讨论了固态相变中的体积变化、屈服强度变化和相变塑性对焊接残余应力的影响.结果表明,相变引起的体积变化和屈服强度变化对最终的焊接残余应力分布和大小有显著影响,相变塑性与前两者相比较影响相对较小,但它对焊缝和热影响区在相变过程中的应力变化趋势有一定的减缓作用,从而适度"松弛"了残余应力.     

Real time monitoring of phase transformation and strain evolution in LTT weld filler material using EDXRD

For a newly developed 10% Cr and 10% Ni low transformation temperature (LTT) weld filler material, the local phase transformation kinetics and the strain evolution during gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) under real welding conditions was studied. An experimental set-up and a measuring and evaluation strategy are presented to gain a real time insight into the welding process. The experiments were carried out at the beam line ID15@ESRF using a two detector EDXRD (energy dispersive X-ray diffraction) set-up and high energy synchrotron X-rays. The time-resolved diffraction analysis during welding was carried out locally throughout the weld in longitudinal as well as in transverse direction to the weld line to examine the interdependence of the strain state and the transformation kinetics. This comprehension is crucial for the optimization of the weld process, and thus for the tailoring of the resulting residual stress states, which is one of the main issues for the application of LTT alloys. Using the herein proposed approach EDXRD diffraction pattern can be monitored during real welding with a counting rate of 5 Hz. By means of the time resolved diffraction data the local transformation temperatures and times were determined and the local phasespecific strain evolutions are discussed with respect to the transformation rates and the time-delayed phase transformations.     

Surface residual stresses in multipass welds produced using low transformation temperature filler alloys

Tensile residual stresses at the surface of welded components are known to compromise fatigue resistance through the accelerated initiation of microcracks, especially at the weld toe. Inducement of compression in these regions is a common technique employed to enhance fatigue performance. Transformation plasticity has been established as a viable method to generate such compressive residual stresses in steel welds and exploits the phase transformation in welding filler alloys that transform at low temperature to compensate for accumulated thermal contraction strains. Neutron and X-ray diffraction have been used to determine the stress profiles that exist across the surface of plates welded with low transformation temperature welding alloys, with a particular focus on the stress at the weld toe. For the first time, near surface neutron diffraction data have shown the extent of local stress variation at the critical, fusion boundary location. Compression was evident for the three measurement orientations at the fusion boundaries. Compressive longitudinal residual stresses and tensile transverse stresses were measured in the weld metal.     

Effects of dilution and baseplate strength on stress distributions in multipass welds deposited using low transformation temperature filler alloys

Transformation plasticity can be utilised to control residual stresses in steel welds. This requires special filler alloys that transform at a sufficiently low temperature to compensate for accumulated thermal contraction strains. However, the welding parameters needed to optimise the effect in multipass joints have yet to be established. This topic has been investigated by characterising the residual stress distribution in multipass welds fabricated with different welding alloys and baseplates using neutron diffraction to assess the effects of dilution and baseplate strength. While the use of richly alloyed weld metal does enhance fatigue performance in single pass joints, the extent of stress relief that can be derived from transformation plasticity is reduced due to incomplete martensitic transformation when further layers are deposited. For all cases studied, compressive stresses were measured in the weld metal with balancing tensile stress in the heat affected zone of the plate. The magnitude of the tension was observed to be a function of the strength of the baseplate. Recommendations are also presented for the combination of welding and material parameters that lead to the optimum exploitation of transformation plasticity as a method for boosting the fatigue performance of multipass welded joints.     

Microstructure,hardness and residual stress distribution in maraging steel gas tungsten arc weldments

Abstract

The distribution of residual stresses due to welding has been studied in maraging steel welds. Gas tungsten arc welding process was used and the effect of filler metal composition on the nature of residual stress distribution has been investigated using X-ray diffraction technique with Cr K_α radiation. Three types of filler materials were used, they include: maraging filler, austenitic stainless steel and medium alloy medium carbon steel filler metal. In the case of maraging steel weld, medium alloy medium carbon filler, the residual stress at the centre of the weld zone was more compressive while, less compressive stresses have been identified in the heat affected zone of the parent metal adjacent to the weld metal. But, in the case of austenitic stainless steel filler the residual stresses at the centre of the weld and heat affected zone were tensile. Post-weld aging treatment reduced the magnitude of stresses. The observed residual stress distribution across the weldments has been correlated with microstructure and hardness distribution across the weld.     

X80管线钢平板多层对接焊数值模拟

管线钢在实际焊接过程中多采用多层焊,其焊接过程较单层焊更为复杂。利用SYSWELD专业焊接模拟软件,对X80管线钢中厚板平板多层焊焊接温度场及应力场进行数值模拟,研究焊接速度、预热温度及层间温度对焊接温度场和熔深的影响。结果表明,随着焊接速度的增加,焊接温度场的最高温度下降,熔深减小。提高预热及层间温度对温度场无显著影响。残余应力集中在焊缝及近缝的热影响区。最大纵向残余应力出现在打底层的焊缝根部,其峰值大于横向残余应力峰值。     

Suggestion of welding procedure for compressive residual stress induction by using low transformation temperature welding materials

ABSTRACT

To understand the cause of compressive residual stress in welded joints, we analysed by numerical analysis the effect of welding pass sequence using low transformation temperature (LTT) welding materials on residual stress around the weld toe of boxing fillet welded joints. It was determined by numerical analysis that the produced compressive residual stress and the influence of the stiffeners are reduced in the equivalent position of the weld toe in a fillet welded joint because of the influence on the behaviour of the stiffener in the weld being due to residual stress distribution around the weld toe. The residual stress reduction method of extending the length of the welded bead and releasing the weld toe from the stiffener, similar to the concept of discarding a bead to reduce tensile residual stress, was effective in fillet welded joints. Numerical analysis of the relationship between residual stress around the weld toe and width of the weld bead in the bead-on-plate welding model clarified that compressive residual stress can be introduced around the weld toe by having a wide width weld bead. In addition, a fully penetrated welded joint was very effective for causing compressive residual stress around the weld toe.     

Studies on multipass welding with trailing heat sink considering phase transformation

A two pass butt welding of 6 mm mild steel plates was simulated using 3D finite element model using temperature and phase dependent material properties. Material phase transformations were simulated using suitable phase transformation kinetic models. Mechanical analysis is carried out using nodal temperature and phase proportions as input. Experiments were carried out using liquid nitrogen (LN2) as trailing heat sink. Trailing heat sink helped to reduce the residual stress in the fusion zone (FZ) and heat affected zone (HAZ) although distortions were found be increasing. A parametric study was conducted to study the effect of distance between weld arc and trailing heat sink. The heat sink closer to weld arc reduced both distortions and residual stresses.     

Influence of Filler on the Microstructure,Mechanical Properties and Residual Stresses in TIG Weldments of Dissimilar Titanium Alloys

The influence of titanium alloy (Ti-5Al-2.5Sn) and commercially pure titanium (cpTi) as fillers on dissimilar pulsed tungsten inert gas weldments of Ti-5Al-2.5Sn/cpTi was investigated in terms of microstructure,mechanical/nano-mechanical proper-ties,and residual stresses.A partial martensitic transformation was observed in the weldments for all the welding conditions due to high heat input.The microstructure evolved in the FZ/cpTi interfacial region was observed to be the most sensitive to the proportion of α stabilizer in the filler alloy.Furthermore,the addition of filler alloy improved the tensile properties and nano-mechanical response of the weld joint owing to the increased volume of metal in the weld joint.As compared to the Ti-5Al-2.5Sn wire,the use of cpTi filler wire proved to be better in terms of energy absorbed during tensile and impact tests,tensile strength and ductility of the dissimilar welds.An asymmetrical residual stresses profile was observed close to the weld centerline,with high compressive stresses on the Ti-5Al-2.5Sn side for both the weldments obtained with and without filler wires.This was attributed to mainly the low thermal conductivity of Ti-5Al-2.5Sn.The presence of residual stresses also influenced the nano-hardness profile across the weldments.     

Modifying residual stress levels in rail flash-butt welds using localised rapid post-weld heat treatment and accelerated cooling

Abstract

Flash-butt welding is used in the manufacture of continuously-welded rails. Finished welds typically exhibit high tensile residual stresses in the rail web and at the upper surface of the rail foot, which may increase the risk of fatigue failure in service. An understanding of the influence of the welding process, including post-weld cooling, on the residual stress distribution is necessary to improve the performance of flash-butt welds by post-weld heat treatment (PWHT), since incorrect treatment may have adverse effects on both residual stress and weld material characteristics. A finite element model has been developed to simulate post-weld cooling in flash-butt welded AS60 kg m^–1 rail. Computed thermal histories for normal (air) cooling, rapid PWHT, and accelerated cooling (water spray) were used as inputs to calculate sequentially coupled stress–time histories, including phase transformations. In addition, the localised influence of the initiation time for rapid PWHT, after final upset, on the reduction of tensile residual stresses was investigated. Heating the rail foot immediately after final upset reduced tensile residual stresses in the web region of the weld. Preliminary numerical predictions showed that water quenching the entire weld region too soon after the austenite–pearlite transformation is completed can induce further tensile residual stresses without affecting the microstructure. The results of the numerical analysis can be used to modify the flash-butt welding procedure to lower residual stress levels, and hence improve weld performance.     

一种消除小直径管道焊接应力技术的数值分析

小直径管道的应力腐蚀问题一直是工程界较难解决的问题，作者针对这一难题，提出了一种新型的消除应力方法——温差形变处理技术。利用MSC．Marc大型通用非线性有限元分析软件，对小直径管道环缝焊接接头的原始残余应力及温差形变法消除残余应力进行了有限元模拟，得到了一系列关于加热位置、加热宽度和加热持续时间的数据和规律。结果表明，采用温差形变处理技术，在内外表面的焊缝处都可以得到零值左右的残余应力，从而为进一步的试验分析工作和工程应用奠定了基础。