Analysis of laser beam weldability of Inconel 738 superalloy

The susceptibility of pre-weld heat treated laser beam welded IN 738 superalloy to heat affected zone (HAZ) cracking was studied. A pre-weld heat treatment that produced the minimal grain boundary liquation resulted in a higher level of cracking compared to those with more intergranular liquation. This deviation from the general expectation of influence of intergranular liquation extent on HAZ microfissuring is attributable to the reduction in the ability of the base alloy to accommodate welding tensile stress that accompanied a pre-weld heat treatment condition designed to minimize intergranular liquation. Furthermore, in contrast to what has been generally reported in other nickel-based superalloys, a decrease in laser welding speed resulted in increased HAZ cracking in the IN 738, which can be attributed to exacerbated process instability at lower welding speeds.     

热处理对GH4169激光焊接头组织性能的影响

针对2 mm厚的GH4169镍基合金板材进行激光对焊,研究热处理对GH4169激光焊接头组织和性能的影响。采用线切割方法制备激光焊接头试样,对热处理和非热处理激光焊接头进行拉伸实验、硬度测定、OM分析、SEM分析、EDS分析和XRD相分析。实验结果表明:热处理后接头抗拉强度为1372 MPa,延伸率为14%,焊缝平均硬度为473HV;较未热处理接头强度提高52%,延伸率降低71%,硬度提高69%。OM、SEM、EDS和XRD分析表明:对GH4169激光焊接头热处理能细化焊缝晶粒,改善枝晶形态,消除残余应力,析出δ相、γ′相和γ″相,使得焊接接头硬度和强度有所提高。     

Stress relief cracking in high strength structural steel BS 4360 grade 55F

Abstract

The stress relief cracking susceptibility of a commercial cast of BS 4360 55F, a high strength structural steel, has been investigated by short term creep rupture testing of crossweld specimens. The weld was made with a heat input of 1·75 kJ mm^?1, which is typical of that encountered during fabrication. The creep specimens fractured in the coarse grained heat affected zone with low deformation over a wide range of test conditions. In all instances failure was by intergranular cracking at prior austenite grain boundaries, generally by the formation of creep cavities. This indicates that the steel is susceptible to stress relief cracking for the high welding heat inputs used. Special precautions may be necessary when welding high strength steels of this type when postweld heat treatment is specified.

MST/745     

Laser arc hybrid weld microstructure in nickel based IN738 superalloy

Abstract

A study of the microstructural characteristics of laser arc hybrid welded nickel based IN738 superalloy was performed. Laser arc hybrid welding produced a desirable weld profile in the alloy, similar to what is usually obtained during laser beam welding, and no cracking occurred exclusively in the fusion zone. Elemental partitioning pattern in the fusion zone was studied by electron probe microanalysis and calculating the volume fraction of the weld metal that resulted from the consumption of the filler wire. The result showed that Ti, Ta, Nb, Mo, Al and Zr partitioned into the interdendritic regions of the fusion zone. SEM and TEM examination of the fusion zone showed the presence of secondary solidification reaction constituents, which consists of MC type carbides. The study further revealed that non-equilibrium liquation of various second phases that were present in the alloy prior to welding contributed to intergranular liquation in the heat affected zone (HAZ), which consequently resulted in extensive HAZ intergranular cracking during welding. Although laser arc hybrid welding appears promising for improving the weldability of nickel based IN738 superalloy, a suitable weldability improvement procedure is required in order to minimise HAZ intergranular cracking and thereby enhance the applicability of this technology to the joining of the superalloy.     

Experimental investigations on welding behaviour of sintered and forged Fe–0.3%C–3%Mo low alloy steel

Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding is considered as one of the cleanest welding methods. It is generally adopted for thinner materials with moderate weld joint strengths. Welding of sintered porous materials continues to be a challenge due to the inherent porosity of the parent metals. The present research work attempts to address some of the issues relating to the welding behaviour of sintered and forged Fe–0.3%C–3%Mo low alloy steels under TIG welding. Rectangular strips of size 70 mm × 15 mm × 5 mm, obtained by blending, compacting and sintering of elemental powders of iron, graphite and molybdenum, were upset forged – both hot and cold in order to obtain alloy steel strips of various porosities. Two identical alloy steel strips of equal density were then welded both along longitudinal and transverse directions, by TIG welding, employing filler metal of suitable composition. The welded strips were then subjected to tensile test, hardness test, microstructural and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) fractography studies. Cold/hot upsetting of the sintered alloy preforms has led to enhanced density. As a result of improved density, their tensile strength and hardness values were also found to be enhanced. The welded alloy exhibited higher tensile strength compared to the un-welded base metal, due to strengthening by residual stress. Similarly, the strength and hardness of the welded alloy strips were found to be enhanced with increase in density. The tensile strength of welded joint is found to be higher compared to that of the base metal due to alloy metals segregation, rapid cooling and formation of acicular ferrite at the weldment of welded joint. No porosity was observed in the weld metal or Heat Affected Zone (HAZ) of the weld joint. However, the base metal had numerous micro pores, though pore migration towards weldment has not been observed.     

Butt-welding Residual Stress of Heat Treatable Aluminum Alloys

This study, taking three types of aluminum alloys 2024-T351, 6061-T6 and 7075-T6 as experimental materials, conducted single V-groove GTAW （gas tungsten arc welding） butt-welding to analyze and compare the magnitude and differences of residual stress in the three aluminum alloys at different single V-groove angles and in restrained or unrestrained conditions. The results show that the larger the grooving angle of butt joint, the higher the residual tensile stress. Too small grooving angle will lead to dramatic differences due to the amount of welding bead filler metal and pre-set joint geometry. Therefore, only an appropriate grooving angle can reduce residual stress. While welding, weldment in restrained condition will lead to a larger residual stress. Also, a residual stress will arise from the restraint position. The ultimate residual stress of weldment is determined by material yield strength at equilibrium temperature. The higher the yield strength at equilibrium temperature, the higher the material residual stress. Because of its larger thermal conductivity, aluminum alloy test specimens have small temperature differential. Therefore, the residual tensile stress of all materials is lower than their yield strength.     

环境温湿度对铝合金焊缝气孔和力学性能的影响

对于高速轨道客车铝车身的生产制造,气孔是焊接中最常见的缺陷.采用X射线法研究了不同温度和湿度下铝合金6082和5083熔化极氩弧焊(MIG)焊缝的气孔情况.结果表明,在焊接过程中环境的绝对湿度(是温度和湿度的综合体现)对焊缝的气孔率有重要影响,铝合金6082焊缝的气孔敏感性要比铝合金5083高.在拉伸试验中铝合金6082接头的断裂位置一般在焊接热影响区(HAZ),随着绝对湿度的增加,接头的抗拉强度和断后伸长率几乎保持不变,但接头的正弯和背弯角度分别减小了74.4％和64.4％.铝合金5083接头的断裂位置一般出现在熔合区,随着绝对湿度的增加,接头的抗拉强度和断后伸长率分别减小了4.0％和15.7％,但是弯曲性能变化不大.     

Numerical simulation of tensile strength of upset welded joints with experimental verification

Resistance upset welding (UW) is a widely used process for joining metal parts. In this process current, time and upsetting force are three parameters that affect the quality of welded products. This paper considers numerical simulation and experimental investigation of UW process parameters. The investigated parameters include heating and post-weld heating current and their corresponding duration as well as interference of the part features that form the joint. In this study, evaluation of tensile strength of the welded joint with variation of the process parameters is also reported. For numerical analysis, a two-dimensional axisymmetric model using a coupled electro-thermal finite element method is developed to study the thermal behavior of the welded joints. The results of this numerical simulation are used to determine the status of the weldment and therefore evaluate the quality of the weld at the joint. Both numerical and experimental results suggest an optimum set of welding parameters, i.e. time and electrical current that yields a maximum value for the tensile strength of the joint. Also the effects of post-weld heating time and current on the tensile strength are evaluated and show that these parameters have a remarkable effect on improving tensile strength of the weldment.     

GH600高温合金重熔层组织结构对激光焊接性能的影响研究

目的 研究GH600高温合金重熔层组织对T形激光焊接强度的影响。方法 采用激光焊工艺制备GH600高温合金T形焊接接头,采用金相显微镜、扫描电子显微镜和能谱仪观察重熔层去除前后焊接接头的显微组织和元素分布。采用电子万能试验机测试去除重熔层前后焊接接头的力学性能,采用维氏硬度计测试焊接接头的硬度。结果 去除重熔层的焊接接头的抗拉强度约为1400MPa,约为未去除重熔层焊接接头抗拉强度的3倍。结论 焊接强度下降的主要原因如下：重熔层内部存在较大的内应力和缺陷;二次结晶时内应力释放;第二相对晶界的钉扎失效使晶粒异常长大,进而形成白带层。     

环境温湿度对铝合金焊缝气孔和力学性能的影响

对于高速轨道客车铝车身的生产制造,气孔是焊接中最常见的缺陷。采用X射线法研究了不同温度和湿度下铝合金6082和5083熔化极氩弧焊(MIG)焊缝的气孔情况。结果表明,在焊接过程中环境的绝对湿度(是温度和湿度的综合体现)对焊缝的气孔率有重要影响,铝合金6082焊缝的气孔敏感性要比铝合金5083高。在拉伸试验中铝合金6082接头的断裂位置一般在焊接热影响区(HAZ),随着绝对湿度的增加,接头的抗拉强度和断后伸长率几乎保持不变,但接头的正弯和背弯角度分别减小了74.4%和64.4%。铝合金5083接头的断裂位置一般出现在熔合区,随着绝对湿度的增加,接头的抗拉强度和断后伸长率分别减小了4.0%和15.7%,但是弯曲性能变化不大。     

On preventing HAZ cracking in laser welded DS Rene 80 superalloy

Abstract

The heat affected zone (HAZ) cracking behaviour in a laser beam directionally solidified (DS) Rene 80 nickel based superalloy subjected to preweld heat treatments was studied. The HAZ cracks in the alloy are grain boundary liquation cracks caused by liquation reaction of both non-equilibrium secondary solidification product, MC carbides and equilibrium solid state reaction product, γ′ precipitates. In contrast to theoretical prediction based a preweld heat treatment that reduced grain boundary liquid film thickness did not result in a lower HAZ cracking, which can be related to concomitant reduction in the ability of the base alloy to relax welding stress. In addition, formation of intergranular M₅B₃ boride particles in preweld alloy appeared to have aided cracking susceptibility by lowering grain boundary liquation temperature and widening the brittle temperature range in the HAZ during cooling. Based on the analysis of the results, application of a new preweld heat treatment that prevents the formation of the intergranular borides and induces moderate base alloy hardness resulted in a nearly crack free HAZ in laser welded DS Rene 80 superalloy.     

The International Foundry and Heat Treatment Conference ‘82

Abstract

Sheet materials for hot gas path components in modern land based gas turbines demand high strength over the temperature range 650–950°C and freedom from serious in-service embrittlement. This is particularly critical where a gas turbine is subject to cycling since thermal stresses can lead to the cracking of such components. It is also highly desirable that if cracking does occur, components can be repaired safely and easily. Haynes 230, a modern alloy, is relatively immune to in-service embrittlement, particularly in comparison to some older materials, but may require a rejuvenation heat treatment to facilitate repairs after in-service exposure. A rejuvenation heat treatment at 1177°C for 0.5 hour was shown to restore stress rupture and weld ductility to those required by AMS 5878A and Section IX of the ASME Vessel and Boiler Code. Stress rupture results for the aged samples indicated that lives were in excess of those for materials in the as-received condition. This was ascribed to grain boundary precipitation.     

Effect of laser-arc hybrid welding on fracture and corrosion behaviour of AA6061-T6 alloy

The welding condition of the hybrid laser-gas metal arc (GMA) welding for AA6061-T6 alloy was optimized by tensile test. Formability performance was checked by the bend test. Fractographic analysis indicates a large number of fine ductile type voids in the fracture surface. The microstructure measurements exhibit a dendritic cellular structure in the weld fusion zone (WFZ) and a partially melted zone adjacent to the fusion boundaries. The corrosion behaviour of the weldment and the base alloy were investigated by weight-loss test in nitric acid solution. The WFZ suffers more severe pitting than the rest regions in the weldment. It shows that corrosion cracking is owing to the precipitation of intermetallic phases and the formation of galvanic corrosion couplings in the weldment of AA6061-T6 alloy.     

Effect of pre- and post-weld heat treatments on the mechanical properties of electron beam welded Ti-6Al-4V alloy

This paper represents a summary of experimental work carried out to find the effect of various pre- and post-weld heat treatments on Ti-6Al-4V alloy. In the as-welded state the samples exhibit about 80% of the tensile ductility and about 90–95% of the impact/fracture toughness of the base metal. Low temperature stress relieving or ageing carried out subsequent to the welding operation improves the tensile properties but decreases the toughness at the fusion zone. Solution treatment followed by welding and ageing or the post-weld solution treatment and ageing treatment leads to only a marginal increase in tensile strength at the expense of toughness at the fusion zone. High temperature annealing of the welded samples does not increase the tensile ductility but improves the toughness at both the fusion zone and the heat affected zone. The above facts and a special burst-pressure test conducted on a gas bottle in the as-EB welded state show that Ti-6Al-4V components can be used without subjecting them to any post-weld heat treatments.     

Effect of welding on the stress corrosion cracking behaviour of prior cold worked AISI 316L stainless steel studied by using the slow strain rate test

This work aims to assess the effect of welding on the stress corrosion cracking (SCC) behaviour of prior cold worked AISI 316L stainless steel from ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and time to failure (TF) obtained in slow strain rate tests (SSRTs), which are conducted in corrosive environment and in non-corrosive environment (air). The UTS of cold worked and welded specimens does not show significant variations with prior cold work (CW). However, the TF of cold worked and welded specimens depends on several phenomena that occur in the heat affected zone (HAZ), such as sensitization, recrystallization, recrystallized grain growth or thermal transformation of strain-induced martensite. Additionally, a metallographic study of SSRT tested specimens is performed with the aim of assessing the fracture mode, which proves to be ductile. This work shows that the combined effect of prior CW and welding does not give rise to SCC because the degree of sensitization (DOS) induced in the HAZ is not sufficient to direct the crack growth.     

Surface modification technique to enhance metallurgical and mechanical properties of alloy C-276 weldment by laser shock peening without coating

Microsegregation of alloying elements is prone to hot cracking in the weldment of alloy C-276. The formation of topologically close packed phases P and µ is largely responsible for the hot cracking. The present study articulates the effect of laser shock peening (LSP) to improve the metallurgical and mechanical properties of the weld joint. The weld joint was fabricated by pulsed current gas tungsten arc welding (PCGTAW) using an ERNiCrMo-3 filler wire. LSP without coating was carried out on the cap surface of the weldment. Microstructural studies were carried out to compare the as-welded and laser-peened microstructure on the fusion zone. The results show that a fine equiaxed dendritic structure was observed in both conditions. EDS analysis was carried out to evaluate the microsegregation of alloying elements. EDS analysis indicates that there are no secondary intermetallic phases. X-ray diffraction analysis was carried out to evaluate the phase change and crystallite size in the as-welded and laser shock peened fusion zone. The result shows 48.99% reduction in crystallite size after LSP. Hardness and tensile strength results indicate there is a consequential increase in laser shock peened specimen compared with as-welded specimen.     

An investigation on thermal, metallurgical and mechanical states in weld cracking of Inconel 738LC superalloy

The influence of various conditions of Inconel 738 superalloy welding or deposition welding has been studied in order to shed light on the coupling between thermal, metallurgical and mechanical states in the heat affected zone (HAZ) in which cracking may occur particularly during welding and post-weld heat treatment. Predominant crack controlling factors have been highlighted thanks to different pre-weld and post-weld heat treatments, in addition to various welding rates and pre-heating prior to welding. These factors are mainly the material ductility related to the morphology and volume fraction of intermetallic precipitates and thermally induced residual stress. It has appeared that reducing thermally induced residual stress could be more effective for preventing cracking than controlling the material ductility in the related zones thanks to adjustment of pre-weld and post-weld heat treatments. With the objective of cracking remediation, welding on preheated parts leads to lower weld power, to reduce significantly thermal gradients, decreases thermally induced stress and impedes cracks formation despite some localized and temporary decrease in alloy ductility.     

Effects of Post-Weld Heat Treatments on the Residual Stress and Mechanical Properties of Laser Beam Welded SAE 4130 Steel Plates

The distribution of the residual stresses in laser beam welded SAE 4130 and the effect of stress relief after various post-weld heat treatments (PWHT) were measured by using the x-ray diffraction method. The mechanical properties and microstructure were also examined. Experimental results show that the tensile residua] stresses increased with the heat input of the laser beam. Most of the residual stresses were relieved by PWHT at 530°C for 2 hours followed by furnace cooling to 50°C. The strength of the as-welded samples decreased in comparison with the base metal. The yield strength of the weldment increased after PWHT at 320°C for 2 hours in comparison with the as-welded sample. The elogation of the laser beam welded samples increased after PWHT in comparison with the as-welded samples.     

Comparative experimental study on the modification of microstructural and mechanical properties of friction stir welded and gas metal arc welded EN AW‐6061 O aluminum alloys by post‐weld heat treatment

In this paper, the effects of post‐weld heat treatment on modification of microstructures and mechanical properties of friction stir welded and gas metal arc welded AA6061‐O plates were compared with each other. Gas metal arc welding and friction stir welding were used as the applicable welding processes for AA6061‐O alloys. The applied post‐weld heat treatment consisted of solution heat treatment, followed by water quenching and finally artificial aging. The samples were classified as post‐weld heat treated and as‐welded joints. The microstructural evolution, tensile properties, hardness features and fracture surfaces of both as‐welded and post‐weld heat treated samples were reported. The results clearly showed that friction stir welding process demonstrated better and more consistent mechanical properties by comparison with the gas metal arc welding process. The weld region of as‐welded samples exhibited a higher hardness value of 80 HV0.1 compared to the base material. In addition, the feasibility of post‐weld heat treatment in order to enhance the mechanical properties and to obtain more homogeneous microstructure of 6061‐O aluminum alloys was evaluated.     

20Cr钢与B级钢焊接接头的组织和性能

采用低温冲击试验、拉伸试验、硬度试验以及金相分析等方法对ER50-6焊丝气体保护焊焊接20Cr钢与B级钢焊接接头的显微组织和性能进行了研究.结果表明,用ERS0-6焊丝气体保护焊焊接20Cr钢和B级钢可获得性能良好的焊接接头,其接头的强度不低于B级钢.焊缝组织为网状分布的先共析铁素体及少量无碳贝氏体;20Cr钢侧近缝区有无碳贝氏体及少量板条马氏体;在B级钢侧热影响区的块状铁素体基体上有少量粒状贝氏体.