Autogenous welding of Hastelloy X to Mar-M 247 by laser

Mar-M 247, a nickel-base cast alloy, is used widely in aeroengines for parts such as blades, vanes and airfoil. Hastelloy X is one of the most oxidation- and corrosion-resistant nickel-base wrought alloys. In order to join such alloys in aeroengine manufacturing, laser beam welding has been carried out with lap and butt joints using a 1.2 and a 6.0 kW CO₂ laser. Cracks in the fusion zone can be eliminated by deliberate misalignments in the ranging of the laser beam by 0.2−0.3 mm onto Hastelloy X. Correlations between cracking behavior, hardness of the beads and misalignments have been investigated. Metallurgical analysis using electron microscopes has revealed the redistribution of alloy elements, the microstructures of the fusion zone and microfissures in the heat-affected zone (HAZ).