Microstructural Characterization of the Heat-Affected Zones in Grade 92 Steel Welds: Double-Pass and Multipass Welds

The microstructure in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) of multipass welds typical of those used in power plants and made from 9 wt pct chromium martensitic Grade 92 steel is complex. Therefore, there is a need for systematic microstructural investigations to define the different regions of the microstructure across the HAZ of Grade 92 steel welds manufactured using the traditional arc welding processes in order to understand possible failure mechanisms after long-term service. In this study, the microstructure in the HAZ of an as-fabricated two-pass bead-on-plate weld on a parent metal of Grade 92 steel has been systematically investigated and compared to a complex, multipass thick section weldment using an extensive range of electron and ion-microscopy-based techniques. A dilatometer has been used to apply controlled thermal cycles to simulate the microstructures in distinctly different regions in a multipass HAZ using sequential thermal cycles. A wide range of microstructural properties in the simulated materials were characterized and compared with the experimental observations from the weld HAZ. It has been found that the microstructure in the HAZ can be categorized by a combination of sequential thermal cycles experienced by the different zones within the complex weld metal, using the terminology developed for these regions based on a simpler, single-pass bead-on-plate weld, categorized as complete transformation, partial transformation, and overtempered.     

Deformation behavior of a 16-8-2 GTA weld as influenced by its solidification substructure

Weldment sections from 'formed and welded’ type 316 stainless steel pipe are characterized with respect to some time-independent (tensile) and time-dependent (creep) mechanical properties at temperatures between 25 °C and 649 °C. The GTA weldment, welded with 16-8-2 filler metal, is sectioned from pipe in the ‘formed + welded + solution annealed + straightened’ condition, as well as in the same condition with an additional ‘re-solution’ treatment. Detailed room temperature microhardness measurements on these sections before and after reannealing enable a determination of the different recovery characteristics of weld and base metal. The observed stable weld metal solidification dislocation substructure in comparison with the base metal ‘random’ dislocation structure, in fact, adequately explains weld/base metal elevated temperature mechanical behavior differences from this recovery characteristic standpoint. The weld metal substructure is the only parameter common to the variety of austenitic stainless steel welds exhibiting the consistent parent/weld metal deformation behavior differences described here. As such, it must be considered the key to understanding weldment mechanical behavior.     

Investigations on Dissimilar Weld of UNS S32205 DSS and ASTM A517 Steel

In the present research, microstructure and mechanical properties of 2205 duplex stainless steel/A517 quench and tempered low alloy steel dissimilar joint were investigated. For this purpose, gas tungsten arc welding was used with ER2209 filler metal. Characterizations were conducted by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy equipped with an energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Mechanical properties were evaluated in micro-hardness, tensile and impact tests. Microstructure in the weld zone included an austenitic continuous network in the matrix of primary ferrite. No brittle phases were formed in the weld metal and stainless steel heat affected zone (HAZ). The weld metal/A517 interface showed higher hardness than other regions. Tensile tests indicated that the values of the yield and tensile strength were 663 and 796 MPa, respectively. Impact tests indicated that the weld zone had almost the same impact energy as base metals. The minimum impact energy of 12 J was related to A517 HAZ. The results of scanning electron microscopy for fracture surfaces indicated that weld zone, 2205 HAZ and A517 HAZ had ductile, ductile–brittle and brittle fracture mode, respectively.     

Influence of high-temperature exposure on the microstructure and mechanical properties of dissimilar metal welds between modified 9Cr-1Mo steel and alloy 800

Transition joints between ferritic steel and austenitic stainless steel are commonly encountered in high-temperature components of power plants. Service failures in these are known to occur as a result, mainly, of thermal stresses due to expansion coefficient differentials. In order to mitigate the problem, a trimetallic configuration involving an intermediate piece of a material such as Alloy 800 between the ferritic and austenitic steels has been suggested. In our work, modified 9Cr-1Mo steel and 316LN stainless steel are used as the ferritic and austenitic components and the thermal behavior of the joints between modified 9Cr-1Mo steel and Alloy 800 is described in this article. The joints, made using the nickel-base filler material INCONEL 82/182 (INCONEL 82 for the root pass by gas-tungsten arc welding and INCONEL 182 for the filler passes by shielded-metal arc welding), were aged at 625 °C for periods up to 5000 hours. The microstructural changes occurring in the weld metal as well as at the interfaces with the two parent materials are characterized in detail. Results of across-the-weld hardness surveys and cross-weld tension tests and weld metal Charpy impact tests are correlated with the structural changes observed. Principally, the results show that (1) the tendency for carbon to diffuse from the ferritic steel into the weld metal is much less pronounced than when 2.25Cr-1Mo steel is used as the ferritic part; and (2) intermetallic precipitation occurs in the weld metal for aging durations longer than 2000 hours, but the weld metal toughness still remains adequate in terms of the relevant specification.     

Experimental and Computational Investigation of Structural Integrity of Dissimilar Metal Weld Between Ferritic and Austenitic Steel

The structural integrity of dissimilar metal welded (DMW) joint consisting of low-alloy steel and 304LN austenitic stainless steel was examined by evaluating mechanical properties and metallurgical characteristics. INCONEL 82 and 182 were used as buttering and filler materials, respectively. Experimental findings were substantiated through thermomechanical simulation of the weld. During simulation, the effect of thermal state and stress distribution was pondered based on the real-time nuclear power plant environment. The simulation results were co-related with mechanical and microstructural characteristics. Material properties were varied significantly at different fusion boundaries across the weld line and associated with complex microstructure. During in-situ deformation testing in a scanning electron microscope, failure occurred through the buttering material. This indicated that microstructure and material properties synergistically contributed to altering the strength of DMW joints. Simulation results also depicted that the stress was maximum within the buttering material and made its weakest zone across the welded joint during service exposure. Various factors for the failure of dissimilar metal weld were analyzed. It was found that the use of IN 82 alloy as the buttering material provided a significant improvement in the joint strength and became a promising material for the fabrication of DMW joint.     

2205不锈钢-碳钢复合带肋钢筋的热轧

 为了研究覆层为2205不锈钢的复合钢筋的热加工范围,利用Gleeble-3800进行热模拟试验,得出2205不锈钢的高温流变曲线及热加工图,并最终确立复合钢筋的开轧温度不低于1 150 ℃。利用有限元软件对复合钢筋的粗轧和精轧道次进行数值模拟,结果表明,粗轧变形时,应变集中在轧件表层和1/4位置,随着变形不断向芯部渗透,塑性应变较大的位置不锈钢覆层较薄;在精轧k1道次变形时,发现在横肋根部的不锈钢覆层厚度最薄,在横肋顶部的覆层厚度最大。对复合钢筋的界面进行研究后发现,Cr、Ni、Mo的扩散距离为18~20 μm,从碳钢侧到不锈钢侧的微观组织依次为铁素体和珠光体、脱碳组织、复合界面、奥氏体不锈钢组织、铁素体和奥氏体不锈钢双相组织。     

Effect of Arc Welding Processes on the Weld Attributes of Type 316LN Stainless Steel Weld joint

The present study aims at understanding the effect of various arc welding processes on the evolution of microstructure, mechanical properties, residual stresses and distortion in 9 mm thick type 316LN austenitic stainless steel weld joints. Weld joints of type 316LN stainless steel were fabricated by three different arc welding processes which were commonly employed in the nuclear industry. All the weld joints passed radiographic examination. Microstructural characterization was done using optical and scanning electron microscope. Volume fraction of δ-ferrite was lowest in the A-TIG weld joint. The A-TIG welded joint exhibited adequate strength and maximum impact toughness values in comparison to that of weld joints made by SMAW and FCAW processes. The A-TIG weld joint was found to exhibit lowest residual stresses and distortion compared to that of other welding processes. This was attributed to lower weld metal volume and hence reduced shrinkage in the A-TIG weld joint compared to that of weld joints made by FCAW and SMAW processes which involved v-groove with filler metal addition. Therefore, type 316LN stainless steel A-TIG weld joint consisting of lower δ-ferrite, adequate strength, high impact toughness, lower residual stresses and distortion was suited better for elevated temperature service compared to that of SMAW and FCAW weld joints.     

Effect of Activated Flux on the Microstructure, Mechanical Properties, and Residual Stresses of Modified 9Cr-1Mo Steel Weld Joints

A novel variant of tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding called activated-TIG (A-TIG) welding, which uses a thin layer of activated flux coating applied on the joint area prior to welding, is known to enhance the depth of penetration during autogenous TIG welding and overcomes the limitation associated with TIG welding of modified 9Cr-1Mo steels. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a specific activated flux for enhancing the depth of penetration during autogeneous TIG welding of modified 9Cr-1Mo steel. In the current work, activated flux composition is optimized to achieve 6 mm depth of penetration in single-pass TIG welding at minimum heat input possible. Then square butt weld joints are made for 6-mm-thick and 10-mm-thick plates using the optimized flux. The effect of flux on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and residual stresses of the A-TIG weld joint is studied by comparing it with that of the weld joints made by conventional multipass TIG welding process using matching filler wire. Welded microstructure in the A-TIG weld joint is coarser because of the higher peak temperature in A-TIG welding process compared with that of multipass TIG weld joint made by a conventional TIG welding process. Transverse strength properties of the modified 9Cr-1Mo steel weld produced by A-TIG welding exceeded the minimum specified strength values of the base materials. The average toughness values of A-TIG weld joints are lower compared with that of the base metal and multipass weld joints due to the presence of δ-ferrite and inclusions in the weld metal caused by the flux. Compressive residual stresses are observed in the fusion zone of A-TIG weld joint, whereas tensile residual stresses are observed in the multipass TIG weld joint.     

A Comparison of Creep Rupture Strength of Ferritic/Austenitic Dissimilar Weld Joints of Different Grades of Cr-Mo Ferritic Steels

Evaluations of creep rupture properties of dissimilar weld joints of 2.25Cr-1Mo, 9Cr-1Mo, and 9Cr-1MoVNb steels with Alloy 800 at 823 K were carried out. The joints were fabricated by a fusion welding process employing an INCONEL 182 weld electrode. All the joints displayed lower creep rupture strength than their respective ferritic steel base metals, and the strength reduction was greater in the 2.25Cr-1Mo steel joint and less in the 9Cr-1Mo steel joint. Failure location in the joints was found to shift from the ferritic steel base metal to the intercritical region of the heat-affected zone (HAZ) of the ferritic steel (type IV cracking) with the decrease in stress. At still lower stresses, the failure in the joints occurred at the ferritic/austenitic weld interface. The stress-life variation of the joints showed two-slope behavior and the slope change coincided with the occurrence of ferritic/austenitic weld interface cracking. Preferential creep cavitation in the soft intercritical HAZ induced type IV failure, whereas creep cavitation at the interfacial particles induced ferritic/austenitic weld interface cracking. Micromechanisms of the type IV failure and the ferritic/austenitic interface cracking in the dissimilar weld joint of the ferritic steels and relative cracking susceptibility of the joints are discussed based on microstructural investigation, mechanical testing, and finite element analysis (FEA) of the stress state across the joint.     

Ferrite number as a function of the larson-miller parameter for austenitic stainless weld metals after creep testing

Five different stress levels between 70 and 240 MPa were used together with a range of temperature (550 °C to 700 °C) for creep testing on E308H and E316H austenitic stainless steel weld deposits. The test results show that the Ferrite Number (FN) exhibits a linear relationship with the Larson-Miller parameter (LMP) after creep testing. More sigma phase formed in commercial E316H weld deposits than in commercial E308H because of the difference in molybdenum content.     

Prediction of type IV cracking behaviour of 2.25Cr-1Mo steel weld joint based on finite element analysis

Creep tests were carried out on 2.25Cr-1Mo ferritic steel base metal and its fusion welded joint at 823 K over a stress range of 100–240 MPa. The weld joint possessed lower creep rupture strength than the base metal and the reduction was more at lower applied stresses. The failure occurred in the intercritical region of heat-affected zone (HAZ) of the joint, commonly known as Type IV cracking. Type IV cracking in the joint was manifested as pronounced localization of creep deformation in the soft intercritical region of HAZ coupled with preferential creep cavitation. The creep cavitation in intercritical HAZ was found to initiate at the central region of the creep specimen and propagate outwards to the surface. To explain the above observations, the stress and strain distributions across the weld joint during creep exposure were estimated by using finite element analysis. For this purpose creep tests were also carried out on the deposited weld metal and simulated HAZ structures (viz. coarse-grain structure, fine-grain structure, and intercritically annealed structure) of the joint. Creep rupture strength of different constituents of joint were in the increasing order of intercritical HAZ, fine-grain HAZ, base metal, weld metal and coarse-grain HAZ. Localized preferential creep straining in the intercritical HAZ of weld joint as observed experimentally was supported by the finite element analysis. Estimated higher principal stress at the interior regions of intercritical HAZ explained the pronounced creep cavitation at these regions leading to Type IV failure of the joint.     

Gas Tungsten Arc Welding of 316L Austenitic Stainless Steel with UNS S32205 Duplex Stainless Steel

In the present work, dissimilar welding between UNS S32205 duplex stainless steel (DSS) and 316L austenitic stainless steel (ASS) was performed by using gas tungsten arc welding and ER2209 filler at two different heat inputs (0.52 and 0.98 kJ/mm). Microstructures were characterized using reflected light optical microscope and scanning electron microscope. Micro-hardness and tensile properties were measured across the weld for both the heat inputs. The microstructure of the welded region was primarily austenitic (for both heat inputs) with Widmanstätten morphology. The grain size of the heat affected zone on DSS side was very large (~200 µm) for the high heat input sample with the presence of partially transformed austenite and acicular austenite. The precipitation of intermetallic phases and carbides was not observed for both the heat inputs. The proportion of ferrite in the weld metal (as measured by feritscope) was higher for the high heat input sample than the low heat input sample. During the tensile test, fracture occurred in 316L ASS base metal (because of its lower strength) in ductile manner. For high heat input welds, the impact tested sample showed the presence of fine spherical precipitates rich in Cr, Mn and Fe in the fracture surface of weld metal.     

Effect of Welding Processes and Consumables on Tensile and Impact Properties of High Strength Quenched and Tempered Steel Joints

Quenched and tempered steels are prone to hydrogen induced cracking in the heat affected zone after welding. The use of austenitic stainless steel consumables to weld the above steel was the only available remedy because of higher solubility for hydrogen in austenitic phase. In this investigation, an attempt was made to determine a suitable consumable to replace expensive austenitic consumables. Two different consumables, namely, austenitie stain less steel and low hydrogen ferritic steel, were used to fabricate the joints by shielded metal are welding （SMAW） and flux cored arc welding （FCAW） processes. The joints fabricated by using low hydrogen ferritic steel consumables showed superior transverse tensile properties, whereas joints fabricated by using austenitic stainless steel consumables exhibited better impact toughness, irrespective of the welding process used. The SMAW joints exhibited superior mechanical and impact properties, irrespective of the consumables used, than their FCAW counterparts.     

The effect of quenching on the solidification structure and transformation behavior of stainless steel welds

Weld solidification structure of three different types of stainless steel,i.e., 310 austenitic, 309 and 304 semiaustenitic, and 430 ferritic, was investigated. Welds of each material were made without any quenching, with water quenching, and with liquid-tin quenching during welding. The weld micro-structure obtained was explained with the help of the pseudobinary phase diagrams for Fe-Cr-Ni and Fe-Cr-C systems. It was found that, due to the postsolidification 5 → γ phase transformation in 309 and 304 stainless steels and the rapid homogenization of microsegregation in 430 stainless steel, their weld solidification structure could not be observed unless quenched from the solidification range with liquid tin. Moreover, the formation of acicular austenite, and hence, martensite, at the grain boundaries of 430 stainless steel welds was eliminated completely when quenched with liquid tin. The weld solidification structure of 310 stainless steel, on the other hand, was essentially unaffected by quenching. Based upon the observations made, the weld microstructure of these stainless steels was summarized. The effect of cooling rate on the formation of primary austenite in 309 stainless steel welds was discussed. Finally, a simple method for determining the relationship between the secondary dendrite arm spacing and the solidification time, based on welding speeds and weld pool configurations, was suggested.     

Effect of heat input on microstructure and mechanical properties of dissimilar joints of AISI 316L steel and API X70 high-strength low-alloy steel

The microstructure and mechanical properties of dissimilar joints of AISI 316L austenitic stainless steel and API X70 high-strength low-alloy steel were investigated.For this purpose,gas tungsten arc welding(GTAW)was used in three different heat inputs,including 0.73,0.84,and 0.97 kJ/mm.The microstructural investigations of different zones including base metals,weld metal,heat-affected zones and interfaces were performed by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.The mechanical properties were measured by microhardness,tensile and impact tests.It was found that with increasing heat input,the dendrite size and inter-dendritic spacing in the weld metal increased.Also,the amount of delta ferrite in the weld metal was reduced.Therefore,tensile strength and hardness were reduced and impact test energy was increased.The investigation of the interface between AISI 316L base metal and ER316L filler metal showed that increasing the heat input increases the size of austenite grains in the fusion boundary.A transition region was formed at the interface between API X70 steel and filler metals.     

Effect of weld composition and microstructure on hydrogen assisted fracture of austenitic stainless steels

The effect of severe hydrogen environments on the tensile fracture behavior of a variety of austenitic stainless steel welds was investigated. In all cases, second phases or particulates common only to the weld microstructure were the origin of fracture initiation in hydrogen. These second phases formed as a result of microsegregation during solidification and/or solid state transformations during cooling or aging. In addition to second phases the weld microstructure matrix phase also influences fracture behavior. The fracture behavior is discussed in terms of localized chemical variations and the presence of second phases, and th interaction of dislocations with internal boundaries.     

Fe-VC复合材料与45~#钢的钨极氩弧焊焊接

采用钨极氩弧焊(TIG)和奥氏体不锈钢焊丝ER309L作为填充金属,对Fe-VC复合材料与45#钢的可焊性进行了研究.借助X衍射仪、扫描电镜分析焊缝金属的物相结构和组织形貌;应用电子探针测试了合金元素在焊缝中的成分分布;按照国家标准,测试了焊接接头的拉伸强度.结果表明:复合材料与45#钢实现了良好的冶金结合,合金元素在焊缝中呈梯度分布,拉伸试样的断裂位置均在复合材料处,表明所采用的焊接方法可靠,能够满足异种金属的焊接要求.     

304L不锈钢焊缝在混凝土模拟孔隙液中的点蚀行为

采用动电位极化曲线、电化学阻抗谱、Mott-Schottky曲线等电化学方法研究了以308 L为焊丝的304 L不锈钢焊接接头在不同氯离子含量的混凝土模拟孔隙液中腐蚀行为和电化学规律.随Cl-增加,304 L不锈钢焊接接头的三个区域(母材、焊缝和热影响区)在混凝土模拟孔隙液中的自腐蚀电位、点蚀电位及电荷转移电阻降低,钝化膜中载流子密度和焊接接头的点蚀坑数量增加.在同浓度的腐蚀溶液中,308 L的焊缝区域耐蚀性最佳,热影响区次之,304 L基体表现出低的电荷转移电阻和高的掺杂浓度使得母材的耐蚀性最差.      

富Nb复合碳氮化物对22Cr15Ni3.5CuNbN奥氏体钢焊接模拟热影响区组织和性能的影响

采用Gleeble热模拟的方法, 通过模拟焊接过程中快速加热和冷却的热循环过程, 得到1150~1300 ℃不同峰值温度下22Cr15Ni3.5CuNbN奥氏体钢扩大的热影响区组织, 并对其进行冲击性能分析. 对热影响区组织的研究表明, 实验钢的母材中存在一定量富Nb复合碳氮化物, 有效钉扎晶界, 且与大量位错缠结. 在焊接过程中, 该富Nb复合碳氮化物经历溶解与重新析出的复杂过程: 当峰值温度为1150 ℃时, 仅小颗粒的富Nb碳氮化物发生了溶解, 而峰值温度为1300 ℃时, 富Nb复合碳氮化物经历溶解与重新析出, 呈现网状的组织形貌, 且其整体尺寸增加. 富Nb复合碳氮化物的演化导致了冲击功的变化, 经历焊接热循环条件的实验钢较母材具有更高的冲击韧性, 随着峰值温度的升高, 冲击韧性呈现先升后降的趋势, 其中在峰值温度为1150 ℃时实验钢的冲击韧性最高.