Microstructures and tensile properties of laser cladded AerMet100 steel coating on 300 M steel

A layer of AerMet100 steel was coated on the surface of forged 300 M steel using laser cladding technique. The chemical compositions, microstructures, hardness and tensile properties of this AerMet100/300 M material were systematically investigated. Results show that the composition of the AerMet100 clad layer is macroscopically homogeneous, and a compositional transition zone with width of 150 μm is observed between the clad layer and heat affected zone. Microstructures in transition zone transform from the fine needle-like bainite in 300 M steel to the lath tempered martensite in AerMet100 clad layer. Microstructures in heat affected zone also gradually change from the thick plate bainite and blocky retained austenite (unstable heat affected zone) to fine needle-like bainite and film-like austenite (stable heat affected zone) due to different thermal cycle processes. Thick plate bainite together with blocky retained austenite in unstable heat affected zone reduce the strength and ductility of AerMet100/300 M material. However, the tensile specimens, consisting of clad layer and stable heat affected zone, show slightly inferior mechanical properties to 300 M steel. Ductile fracture exists in AerMet100 clad layer while quasi-cleavage fracture occurs in the stable heat affected zone.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of friction spot welded 6061-T4 aluminum alloy

Friction spot welding (FSpW) is a relatively new solid state joining technology developed by GKSS. In the present study, FSpW was applied to join the 6061-T4 aluminum alloy sheet with 2 mm thickness. The microstructure of the weld can be classified into four regions, which are stir zone (SZ), thermo-mechanically affected zone (TMAZ), heat affected zone (HAZ) and the base material (BM), respectively. Meanwhile, defects such as bonding ligament, hook and voids are found in the weld, which are associated to the material flow. The hardness profile of the weld exhibits a W-shaped appearance and the minimum hardness is measured at the boundary of TMAZ and SZ. Both the tensile/shear strength and cross-tension strength reach the maximum of 7117.0 N and 4555.4 N at the welding condition of the rotational speed of 1500 rpm and duration time of 4 s. Compared to cross-tension strength, the tensile/shear strength were stable with the variation of processing parameters. Three different fracture modes are observed under tensile/shear loading, which are plug type fracture, shear fracture and plug-shear fracture. There are also there different fracture modes under cross-tension loading, which are plug type fracture (on the upper sheet), nugget debonding and plug type fracture (on the lower sheet).     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of laser welded S960 high strength steel

S960 steel is an advanced low carbon and low alloy ultra-high strength steel (with a minimum yield strength of 960 MPa) developed by Tata Steel. At present, there is a scarcity of data for laser welding of such a material. In this study, 8 mm thick hot rolled and quenched S960 high strength low alloy (HSLA) steel plates were welded using a 16 kW fibre laser system. The microstructure, microhardness, and tensile properties were characterised, Charpy impact testing and three-point bending testing were carried out, and fracture surfaces were investigated. Preliminary results suggest that the laser welding process can produce single-pass welds which are free of macroscopic defects. The microstructures in the fusion zone and heat affected zone were predominately martensite and some self-tempered martensite, with grain size variation in different sub-zones. The tensile properties of the laser welded joint matched those obtained for the base material, with failure occurring in the base material away from the weld. While the welded joint performed well when subjected to bending, the impact toughness was reduced when compared with that of the base material.     

Microstructure and notched tensile fracture of Ti–6Al–4V to Ti–4.5Al–3V–2Fe–2Mo dissimilar welds

Dissimilar welding of Ti–6Al–4V (Ti-6-4) to Ti–4.5A1–3V–2Fe–2Mo (SP-700) alloys was performed using a CO₂ laser. The microstructure and notched tensile strength (NTS) of the dissimilar welds were investigated in the as-welded and post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) conditions. Moreover, the results were compared with homogeneous laser welds with the same PWHT. The dilution of SP-700 with the Ti-6-4 alloy caused the formation of fine needle-like α + β structures, resulting in the exhibition of a moderately high fusion zone (FZ) hardness of HV 398. The high FZ hardness (HV 438) for the weld with the PWHT at 482 °C was associated with low NTS or high notch brittleness. The fracture appearance of the notched tensile specimen was related to its inherent microstructure. With increasing the PWHT temperature, the thickness of grain boundary α increased, which promoted an intergranular dimple fracture. By contrast, fine shallow dimples were present in the peak-aged weld, which was induced by the refined α + β microstructures in the basket-weave form.     

Microstructure and tensile strength of friction stir welded joints between interstitial free steel and commercially pure aluminium

In the present study, the joining of interstitial free steel and commercial pure aluminium was carried out by friction stir welding (FSW) technique using tool rotational speeds of 600, 900, 1200 rpm and traverse speed of 100 mm/min. The microstructure and micro-hardness of the weld interface have been investigated. Optical microscopy was used to characterize the microstructures of different regions of friction stir welding joints. The scanning electron microscopy-back scattered electron (SEM-BSE) images show the existence of the different reaction layers in the welded zone. The Al₃Fe intermetallic compound has been observed in the weld interface and their thickness increase with the increase in tool rotational speed. Tensile strength was also evaluated and maximum tensile strength of ∼123.2 MPa along with ∼4.5% elongation at fracture of the joint have been obtained when processed at 600 rpm tool rotational speed.     

Effects of pulsed Nd:YAG laser welding parameters and subsequent post-weld heat treatment on microstructure and hardness of AISI 420 stainless steel

Martensitic stainless steels are often used in cases where high strength and medium corrosion resistance are required. In this study, pulsed Nd:YAG laser welding of AISI 420 martensitic stainless steel is considered. Welding of samples were carried out autogenously. The spacing between samples was set to almost zero. All samples were butt welded. The effect of welding parameters such as voltage, laser beam diameter, frequency, pulse duration, and welding speed on the weld dimensions were investigated and the optimum values were obtained for the 450 V voltage, 0.6 mm focal diameter, 6 Hz frequency, 5 ms pulse duration and 1.5 mm/s welding speed. Microstructure of weld pool and heat affected zone (HAZ) were investigated by optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Micro-hardness studies were also carried out. The results showed the presence of some remaining delta-ferrite in the martensitic weld structure and coarsening of M₂₃C₆ carbides in HAZ. The magnitude of hardness in the HAZ was higher than that of the weld zone. To reduce the hardness of weld and HAZ and to increase the toughness in these regions, two types of post-weld heat treatments (PWHTs) were carried out. In type 1, samples tempered for 2 h. In type 2, samples austenitizied for 0.5 h at 1010 °C and then tempered for 2 h. In order to achieve high strength and toughness, optimum temper temperatures for type 1 and 2 heat treatments were obtained for 595 and 537 °C, respectively. The results showed higher toughness for type 2 than type 1.     

Microstructure and fatigue crack growth behavior in tungsten inert gas welded DP780 dual-phase steel

The purpose of this study was to evaluate microstructural and mechanical change of DP780 steel after tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding and the influence of notch locations on the fatigue crack growth (FCG) behavior. The tempering of martensite in the sub-critical heat affected zone (HAZ) resulted in a lower hardness (~ 220 HV) compared to the base material (~ 270 HV), failure was found to originate in the soft HAZ during tensile test. The fusion zone (FZ) consisted of martensite and some acicular ferrite. The joint showed a superior tensile strength with a joint efficiency of 94.6%. The crack growth path of HAZ gradually deviated towards BM due to the asymmetrical plastic zone at the crack tip. The FCG rate of the crack transverse to the weld was fluctuant. The Paris model can describe the FCG rate of homogeneous material rather well, but it cannot precisely represent the FCG rate of heterogeneous material. The fatigue fracture surface showed that the stable expanding region was mainly characterized by typical fatigue striations in conjunction with secondary cracks; the rapid expanding region contained quasi-cleavage morphology and dimples. However, ductile fracture mechanism predominated with an increasing stress intensity factor range (ΔK). The final unstable failure fractograph was subtotal dimples.     

Effects of tool rotation speed on microstructures and mechanical properties of AA2219-T6 welded by the external non-rotational shoulder assisted friction stir welding

The external non-rotational shoulder assisted friction stir welding (NRSA-FSW) was applied to weld high strength aluminum alloy 2219-T6 successfully, and effects of the tool rotation speed on microstructures and mechanical properties were investigated in detail. Defect-free joints were obtained in a wide range of tool rotation speeds from 600 rpm to 900 rpm, but cavity defects appeared on the advancing side when the tool rotation speed increased to 1000 rpm. The microstructural deformation and heat generation were dominated by the rotating tool pin and sub-size concave shoulder, while the non-rotational shoulder helped to improve the weld formation. Microstructures and Vickers hardness distributions showed that the NRSA-FSW is beneficial to improving the asymmetry and inhomogeneity, especially in the weld nugget zone (WNZ). At the tool rotation speed of 800 rpm, both the tensile strength and the elongation reached the maximum, and the maximum tensile strength was up to 69.0% of the base material. All defect-free joints were fractured at the weakest region with minimum Vickers hardness in the WNZ, while for the joint with cavity defects the fracture occurred at the defect location.     

Effect of welding parameters on microstructure and mechanical properties of AA6061-T6 butt welded joints by stationary shoulder friction stir welding

Stationary shoulder friction stir welding (SSFSW) butt welded joints were fabricated successfully for AA6061-T6 sheets with 5.0 mm thickness. The welding experiments were performed using 750–1500 rpm tool rotation speeds and 100–300 mm/min welding speeds. The effects of welding parameters on microstructure and mechanical properties for the obtained welds were discussed and analyzed in detail. It is verified that the defect-free SSFSW welds with fine and smooth surface were obtained for all the selected welding parameters, and the weld transverse sections are obviously different from that of conventional FSW joint. The SSFSW nugget zone (NZ) has “bowl-like” shapes with fairly narrow thermal mechanically affected zone (TMAZ) and heat affected zone (HAZ) and the microstructures of weld region are rather symmetrical and homogeneous. The 750–1500 rpm rotation speeds apparently increase the widths of NZ, TMAZ and HAZ, while the influences of 100–300 mm/min welding speeds on their widths are weak. The softening regions with the average hardness equivalent 60% of the base metal are produced on both advancing side and retreating side. The tensile properties of AA6061-T6 SSFSW joints are almost unaffected by the 750–1500 rpm rotation speeds for given 100 mm/min, while the changing of welding speed from 100–300 mm/min for given 1500 rpm obviously increased the tensile strength of the joint and the maximum value for welding parameter 1500 rpm and 300 mm/min reached 77.3% of the base metal strength. The tensile fracture sites always locate in HAZ either on the advancing side or retreating side of the joints.     

Quenching microstructure and properties of 300M ultra-high strength steel electron beam welded joints

The 300M steel was welded by electron beam welding (EBW) with optimized welding parameters in the annealed state. As-welded, for comparison, and as-quenched (oil quenching at 870 °C × 1 h and tempering at 315 °C × 2 h) welded joints were investigated in this paper. The microstructure and fracture morphology were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscope. X-ray energy spectrum analysis was used to determine chemical composition of phases formed at the joint. The microhardness and tensile strength were evaluated. Results indicate that the weld metal microstructures of the as-welded joint are lower bainite, retained austenite and pro-eutectoid ferrite; the heat affected zone microstructure is sorbite with undissolved particles. The microstructure of as-quenched joint is tempered martensite. The tensile strength of the joints after quenching reached 1900 MPa.     

Local mechanical properties of intercritically reheated coarse grained heat affected zone in low alloy steel

Steels applied in arctic climates are subjected to low temperature. Since they undergo ductile–brittle transition with falling temperature, their fracture toughness must be addressed, particularly after welding. To predict their behaviour requires knowledge on local properties. Thus, the present study concerns nanomechanical testing of typical microstructures present in the intercritically reheated coarse grained heat affected zone of a 490 MPa forging. Such microstructures were achieved by weld thermal simulation of samples with 11 mm × 11 mm cross section and 100 mm length, using peak temperature of 1350 °C in the first cycle and 780 °C in the second cycle. Both cycles used cooling time Δt_8/5 of 5 or 10 s. This caused formation of M–A phases along prior austenite grain boundaries and mixture of bainite/tempered martensite in the bulk. Nanomechanical testing was performed by compression of nanopillars prepared in grain boundary located M–A phases and in the bulk of the grains. The results achieved showed significant that the grain boundary phase possesses much higher strength than the grain bulk. It is also shown that there is large scatter in the stress–strain data, depending on the actual local microstructure being tested.     

Effect of electron beam welding on the microstructures and mechanical properties of thick TC4-DT alloy

Electron beam welding (EBW) was applied to 50 mm thick damage-tolerant Ti–6Al–4V (TC4-DT) alloy, and microstructure, microhardness and tensile properties of the defect-free welded joints were examined. The results indicated that the microstructure of the base metal is composed of primary α phases and the lamellar (α + β) bimodal structure. For the EBW joint, martensite basketweave microstructure is formed in fusion zone (FZ). Moreover, the heat affected zone (HAZ) near FZ consists of acicular martensite and a small portion of primary α phase. The HAZ near base metal consists of primary α phase and transformed β containing aciculate α. It is found that the boundary of the two portions of the HAZ was dependent on the β phase transus temperature during weld cooling. Microhardness values for FZ and HAZ are higher than that of base metal, and there are the peak values for the HAZ near the weld metal. The fracture locations of all the EBW tensile specimens are in base metal, and the ultimate tensile strength of the joints may reach about 95% of the base metal. In addition, with the depth increasing along the weld thick direction, the grain size of the FZ decreases and microhardness increases.     

Microstructure evolution in a single crystal nickel-based superalloy joint by linear friction welding

Linear friction welding (LFW) was used with a single crystal nickel-based superalloy to produce sound welds. Microstructural examination shows that the joint has a distinct weld zone (WZ) and thermomechanically affected zone (TMAZ). In the WZ, the microstructure has recrystallized polycrystals instead of a single crystal. In the TMAZ, the amount of γ′ phase increased from the TMAZ/WZ interface to the parent material (PM) and decreased from the periphery to the centre along the weld creating a U-shaped microhardness profile in the TMAZ. The microhardness is however lower than that in the WZ. The average tensile strength was found to be 837.5 ± 50 MPa, comparable to the PM (880 MPa [26]).     

Microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of heat affected zones for 9Cr2WVTa steels with different carbon contents

The microstructures and mechanical properties of heat affected zones (HAZs) by Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) were studied for 9Cr2WVTa steels with carbon content varying from 0.07 wt.% to 0.25 wt.%. Enlarged HAZs samples with 8 mm to 10 mm wide uniform temperature zone were prepared by the thermal–mechanical physical simulator Gleeble 1500 based on the Finite Element Method (FEM) numerical simulation and experimental measurement for the welding thermal cycle process and weld profile. The microstructures were observed by optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). In addition, the mechanical properties tests including micro-hardness test, tensile test and impact test were carried out to investigate the effects of the carbon content and the welding thermal cycle. The results show that the big blocky delta ferrite in 9Cr2WVTa steel with lower carbon content deteriorates the impact property. On the other hand, the quenched martensite, especially for the twin martensite in 9Cr2WVTa steel with higher carbon content, deteriorates the impact toughness as well. The weldability of 9Cr2WVTa steel can be improved by adjusting the carbon content between 0.14 wt.% and 0.17 wt.%.     

690 MPa级低合金高强钢焊接接头组织性能

为探讨690 MPa级低合金高强钢焊接接头组织与性能的关系,采用手工电弧焊(SMAW)和埋弧焊(SAW)获得成形良好的焊接接头,经过拉伸、冲击、弯曲试验及光学显微镜、扫描电镜和透射电镜分析,对两种焊接方法的接头组织性能进行研究.结果表明:两种焊接方法的焊缝组织主要为板条状贝氏体和少量针状铁素体,粗晶区为粗大贝氏体和少量马氏体;焊缝中含有大量分布均匀的微小球形夹杂物;两种焊接方法所得焊接接头都具有较高力学性能,-50℃的冲击断口形貌为韧窝、准解理混合型;埋弧焊焊缝冲击韧性低于手工电弧焊,手工电弧焊熔合线处冲击吸收功小于埋弧焊,但随距熔合线距离增加其值增加更快.显微组织和夹杂物是影响接头性能的主要因素.     

Microstructure feature of friction stir butt-welded ferritic ductile iron

This study conducted friction stir welding (FSW) by using the butt welding process to join ferritic ductile iron plates and investigated the variations of microsturcture in the joined region formed after welding. No defects appeared in the resulting experimental weld, which was formed using a 3-mm thick ductile iron plate and tungsten carbide alloy stir rod to conduct FSW at a rotational speed of 982 rpm and traveling speed of 72 mm/min. The welding region was composed of deformed graphite, martensite phase, and dynamically recrystallized ferrite structures. In the surface region and on the advancing side (AS), the graphite displayed a striped configuration and the ferritic matrix transformed into martensite. On the retreating side (RS), the graphite surrounded by martensite remained as individual granules and the matrix primarily comprised dynamically recrystallized ferrite. After welding, diffusion increased the carbon content of the austenite around the deformed graphite nodules, which transformed into martensite during the subsequent cooling process. A micro Vickers hardness test showed that the maximum hardness value of the martensite structures in the weld was approximately 800 HV. An analysis using an electron probe X-ray microanalyzer (EPMA) indicated that its carbon content was approximately 0.7–1.4%. The peak temperature on the RS, 8 mm from the center of the weld, measured 630 °C by the thermocouple. Overall, increased severity of plastic deformation and process temperature near the upper stir zone (SZ) resulted in distinct phase transformation. Furthermore, the degree of plastic deformation on the AS was significantly greater than that on the RS, and relatively complete graphite granules and the fine ferrite grains resulting from dynamic recrystallization were observed on the RS.     

Q960E超高强钢焊接接头组织和性能研究

目的 对Q960E超高强钢的焊接工艺进行研究以获得高强高韧的焊接接头。方法 选择超高强钢Q960E作为母材、FK1000ER120S–G焊丝作为填充材料进行MAG焊,采用改变焊接电流的方式来研究焊接热输入对焊接接头组织和性能的影响。结果 当焊接电流为155～230 A时,均获得了全焊透无明显缺陷的焊缝。随着焊接热输入的增大,焊接接头中各亚区宽度增大,其中焊缝区变化最为显著,在最小热输入条件下焊缝宽度为3.98 mm,在最大热输入条件下焊缝宽度增至5.53 mm。对焊接接头进行组织分析发现,焊缝组织主要为针状铁素体和板条马氏体;完全相变区组织主要为板条马氏体;未完全相变区组织主要为回火马氏体和部分重结晶形成的马氏体。硬度测试表明,在热影响区的回火区发生了软化现象,最低硬度仅为290HV;在完全相变区发生了硬化现象,硬度最大值可达500HV。在不同热输入条件下,焊接接头各亚区硬度变化趋势一致,焊接接头抗拉强度为995～1 076 MPa,拉伸试验均断裂在热影响区,断后伸长率为9.33%～10.21%,断裂时存在颈缩现象,为韧性断裂。随着热输入的增加,粗晶区马氏体板条束宽度增大,未完全相变区...     

Processing of a new high strength high toughness steel with duplex microstructure (Ferrite + Austenite)

In this investigation a new third generation advanced high strength steel (AHSS) has been developed. This steel was synthesized by austempering of a low carbon and low alloy steel with high silicon content. The influence of austempering temperature on the microstructure and the mechanical properties including the fracture toughness of this steel was also examined. Compact tension and cylindrical tensile specimens were prepared from a low carbon low alloy steel and were initially austenitized at 927 °C for 2 h and then austempered in the temperature range between 371 °C and 399 °C to produce different microstructures. The microstructures were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and optical metallography. Test results show that the austempering heat treatment has resulted in a microstructure consisting of very fine scale bainitic ferrite and austenite. A combination of very high tensile strength of 1388 MPa and fracture toughness of 105 MPa √m was obtained after austempering at 371 °C.     

AA7075 bit for repairing AA2219 keyhole by filling friction stir welding

In the present study, 7.8 mm thick AA2219 rolled plates were successfully filling friction stir welded (FFSW) without keyhole using a semi-consumable tool. The influences of the bit’s geometric parameters and the plunge speed on the joint’s mechanical properties were investigated. Microstructure of the joint, especially at the interface, was observed. The results revealed that the AA7075 bit’s employment was able to decrease the shedding bit material effectively. During tensile tests, the maximum ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and elongation of the joint were 179.6 MPa and 13.7%, equivalent to 96.6% and 99% of the original defect-free friction stir welding (FSW) joint, respectively. The defect-free FFSW joints were produced at lower plunge speeds, and the fracture locations were at the softened region within the heat affected zone (HAZ) adjacent to the thermo-mechanically affected zone (TMAZ) on the retreating side. With increasing the plunge speed, the fracture location was more mainly dependent on the interface strength instead of the hardness distribution.     

Microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of dissimilar Al–Cu joints produced by friction stir welding

5A02 aluminum alloy and pure copper were joined by friction stir welding (FSW). A defect-free joint was obtained when one of process parameters, i.e. the traverse speed was lowered from 40 mm/min to 20 mm/min. A good mixing of Al and Cu was observed in the weld nugget zone (WNZ). A large amount of fine Cu particles were dispersed in the upper part of the WNZ producing a composite-like structure. In the lower part, nano-scaled intercalations were observed and identified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). These layered structures were subsequently confirmed as Al₄Cu₉ (γ), Al₂Cu₃ (ε), Al₂Cu (θ), respectively. Formation of these microstructures caused an inhomogeneous hardness profile. Particularly, a distinct rise in hardness was noticed at the Al/Cu interface. Excellent metallurgical bonding between Al and Cu gave rise to good behaviors in the tensile and bending strength.