Verification of numerical model to predict microstructure of austenitic stainless steel weld metal using synchrotron radiation and trans varestraint testing

Abstract

A numerical model to predict the microstructure of austenitic stainless steel weld metal is proposed, and spatially resolved X-ray diffraction measurements using synchrotron radiation have been carried out for Fe–20Cr–(9·8–14·4)Ni weld metals, quenched in liquid Sn, to verify the validity of the numerical model. X-ray diffraction analysis of Fe–20Cr–11·5Ni quenched weld metal, solidifying in the ferritic–austenitic mode, showed that the secondary γ phase crystallised in a eutectic growth mode down to a temperature drop of 6 K from the initiation of solidification. Also, from X-ray diffraction analysis of Fe–20Cr–12·7Ni quenched weld metal, which solidified in the austenitic–ferritic mode, it was found that the secondary δ phase crystallised in a eutectic growth mode within the temperature drop range between 15 and 21 K from the initiation of solidification. The crystallisation temperatures predicted by the numerical model for secondary γ and δ phases in Fe–20Cr–11·5Ni and Fe–20Cr–12·7Ni weld metals agreed with experimental data. Furthermore, it was found that the effect of Ni content on the solidification cracking susceptibility of Fe–20Cr–(9·8–14·4)Ni weld metal, determined via trans varestraint testing, agreed with the results calculated using the model. These agreements support the validity of the developed numerical model.     

Hardness changes on pass by pass basis in mild steel gas metal arc welds

Abstract

A series of welds were fabricated in mild (ASTM A36) steel. The first pass was the entire length of the plate and each subsequent pass was indented ～25 mm. This allowed us to determine the change in hardness on a pass by pass basis by mapping the hardness over each weld pass.     

Effect of tin on melting temperature and microstructure of Ag–Cu–Zn–Sn filler metals

Abstract

To develop low melting point filler metals for brazing TiNi shape memory alloy (SMA) and stainless steel (SS), a series of Ag–22Cu–Zn–Sn (wt-%) filler metals have been studied. Using differential thermal analysis (DTA) analysis, the melting temperatures of Ag–22Cu–Zn–Sn filler metals were determined. The results show that the increase of zinc and tin contents drastically decreases the solidus and liquidus temperatures of the Ag–22Cu–Zn–Sn filler metals and the melting temperatures of the Ag–22Cu–18Zn–Sn filler metals with 5–8 wt-%tin are < 650°C. Metallographic observations indicate that the increase of zinc and tin in the Ag–22Cu–Zn–Sn filler metals helps the formation of eutectic structure and inhibits the formation of α-Ag and α-Cu solid solutions, but the increase of tin also causes the formation of Ag₃Sn and Cu₄₁Sn₁₁ brittle compounds. The results of mechanical property tests of the laser brazed joints of TiNi SMA and SS show that the proper increase of zinc and tin in Ag–22Cu–Zn–Sn filler metals is favourable for improving the strength of the laser brazed joints of TiNi SMA and SS.     

Challenges for exploitation of physical vapour deposition in metal cutting

Abstract

The physical vapour deposition of hard coatings on cutting tools is an emerging technology with the capability of generating many different coatings with complex microstructures which have the potential for exploitation in a wide variety of applications. A current drawback to the cost effective exploitation of such coatings is the lack of knowledge concerning some aspects of chip formation and the tribological interactions occurring at the chip tool interface. This paper takes a step back to overview some of the materials science aspects of these issues and looks at the temperature profiles generated beneath uncoated and coated cutting tools in simple turning experiments. It is demonstrated that such experiments can lead to a clearer understanding of chip tool interactions and assist in the cost effective exploitation of speciality physical vapour deposition coatings designed for fitness for purpose.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg – Al9Zn/SiCp composite produced by vacuum stir casting process

Abstract

15 vol.-% SiC particle reinforced cast Mg – 9AlZn (AZ91C) composite was produced by a vacuum stir casting process, and the microstructure and mechanical properties of the composite investigated. The stirring process was carried out at a speed of 750 – 1500 rev min^-1 with a stainless steel impeller for 25 min in a vacuum of 20 – 40 mbar. SiC particles in the composite exhibited a reasonably homogeneous distribution and were well wetted by magnesium. The Mg – Al9Zn/15SiC_p composite showed significant improvement in yield strength and elastic modulus following T4 heat treatment. The ultimate tensile strength of the composite was low, but close to that of unreinforced magnesium alloy. Mg/SiC interfacial reactions and reaction mechanisms are discussed. No evident interfacial products were found at a low process temperature of 700°C. However, significant chemical reactions at the Mg/SiC interface occurred when the composite melt was maintained at 750°C, and complex reaction products were formed. The fluidity of the composite melt deteriorated seriously after the interfacial reactions occurred.     

Impact properties of sintered and wrought 17–4 PH stainless steel

Abstract

Charpy V notch (CVN) impact testing was conducted on full size and subsize specimens of sintered and wrought 17–4 PH stainless steel (17–4 PH SS) in the as sintered and H900 heat treated conditions. Test geometries correspond to the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and Metal Powder Industries Federation (MPIF) impact testing standards. Merits of a notched specimen compared with an unnotched specimen were analysed for both the wrought and sintered materials. The notched ASTM standard bars had a lower coefficient of variance for impact energy than the unnotched MPIF standard bars and displayed greater toughness. Porosity and grain size have a detrimental synergistic effect on impact toughness for the sintered material. Following a discussion about the differences in the wrought and sintered microstructures, it is recommended that impact testing of the injection moulded and sintered specimens should be evaluated according to the ASTM test specifications.     

Experimental investigation into radiative heat transfer characteristics for mould fluxes containing transition oxides

Abstract

Infrared transmittance of glassy and crystalline mould fluxes was measured using a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer at room temperature. Radiation heat transfer from the steel shell to the mould was calculated by a model. The results indicate that transition metal oxides MnO, FeO and TiO₂ have a marked negative effect on infrared transmittance and radiation heat flux of glassy samples. With MnO, FeO and TiO₂ added, the reductions of radiation heat flux in glassy samples are 19–25%, 34–36%, 6–29% respectively. X-ray diffraction results indicated that the crystalline phase in transition oxides free samples was mainly Ca₄Si₂O₇F₂. After transition oxides MnO, FeO and TiO₂ added, Mn₂SiO₄, Fe₂SiO₄, CaTiO₃, Ca₂SiO₄ and other minor phases were also precipitated in mould fluxes. On account of strong refraction and scattering, the negative effect on radiation heat flux in crystalline samples was much larger than that in the glassy ones.     

Two modes of metal flow phenomenon in friction stir welding process

Abstract

It has been widely recognised that the fundamental mechanism of weld formation in friction stir welding (FSW) is too complex, a phenomenon to be understood completely. In the present study two modes of metal transfer phenomenon in FSW have been discussed with the help of three FSW techniques. In the first technique a strip is welded to the plate by the process, in the second one the brass sheet is inserted perpendicular to the welding direction and in the third one the process is performed with tools having different pin lengths. The results suggest a strategy to model the process particularly for predicting welding tool performance.     

Control of corrosion of carbon steel in crude oil distillation units

Abstract

Experiments were conducted to investigate the behaviour of different concentrations of 3–amino–1,2,4–triazole (ATR), 2–amino-thiazole (ATH), and 2,6–diamino-pyridine (DAP) as corrosion inhibitors for carbon steel exposed to a kerosene-water mixture containing 3ppm HCl and 800ppmH₂S/day at 55–60°C and pH 6–6·5 with different exposure times, using ammonia as a neutralising agent. Screening tests over,a period of 50 h showed that the presence of 10ppm of the compounds (ATR, ATH, and DAP) with ammonia as a neutralising agent in the absence and in the presence of 10ppm octylamine gave good inhibitor efficiencies (～90%). After 400 h of exposure the inhibitor efficiencies ranged between 50–75% depending on the material added to the test solution. XPS studies of the layer formed on the carbon steel surface indicate the formation of Fe(II) and Fe(III) complexes with the organic compounds used.     

In situ study of martensitic transformation and nucleation and propagation of cracks in Cu-Ni-Al shape memory alloy

Abstract

The stress induced martensitic transformation and the relationship between it and the nucleation and propagation of cracks in the Cu-Ni-Al shape memory alloy were investigated through in situ tensile tests by SEM and TEM. The results indicated that the stress concentration ahead of the crack tip could induce formation of stacking faults and different types of martensites. Transmission electron microscope observations showed that the martensites could transform from one type to another type and even reversely to parent during loading. The microcracks nucleated along the martensite/parent interface and intersections between two martensites. When the crack propagated a certain distance, the stress concentration ahead of the crack tip was large enough to result in formation of slip bands, in this condition the microcrack nucleated along slip bands more easily.