Liquation cracking in the heat-affected zone of IN939 superalloy tungsten inert gas weldments

The main aim of this study was to investigate liquation cracking in the heat-affected zone(HAZ) of the IN939 superalloy upon tungsten inert gas welding. A solid solution and age-hardenable filler metals were further studied. On the pre-weld heat-treated samples, upon solving the secondary γ′ particles in the matrix, primary γ′ particles in the base metal grew to "ogdoadically diced cubes" of about 2 μm in side lengths. The pre-weld heat treatment reduced the hardness of the base metal to about HV 310. Microstructural studies using optical and fieldemission scanning electron microscopy revealed that the IN939 alloy was susceptible to liquation cracking in the HAZ. The constitutional melting of the secondary, eutectic, and Zr-rich phases promoted the liquation cracking in the HAZ. The microstructure of the weld fusion zones showed the presence of fine spheroidal γ′ particles with sizes of about 0.2 μm after the post-weld heat treatment, which increased the hardness of the weld pools to about HV 350 and 380 for the Hastelloy X and IN718 filler metals, respectively. Application of a suitable solid solution filler metal could partially reduce the liquation cracking in the HAZ of IN939 alloy.     

Weldability and liquation cracking behavior of ZhS6U superalloy during electron-beam welding

The weldability of the ZhS6U nickel-based superalloy, which is prone to solidification cracking during electron-beam welding(EBW) repair processes, was investigated. The effects of two different pre-weld heat-treatment cycles on the final microstructure before and after welding were examined. Welds were made on flat coupons using an EBW machine, and the two heat-treatment cycles were designed to reduce γ′ liquation before welding. Microstructural features were also examined by optical and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the change in the morphology and size of the γ′ precipitates in the pre-weld heat-treatment cycles changed the ability of the superalloy to release the tensile stresses caused by the matrix phase cooling after EBW. The high hardness in the welded coupons subjected to the first heat-treatment cycle resulted in greater resistance to stress release by the base alloy, and the concentration of stress in the base metal caused liquation cracks in the heat-affected zone and solidification cracks in the weld area.     

摩擦焊接碳钢（EN24）和镍基高温合金（IN718）的显微组织和力学性能

Continuous-drive rotary friction welding was performed to join cylindrical specimens of carbon steel (EN24) and nickel-based superalloy (IN718), and the microstructures of three distinct weld zones—the weld interface (WI)/thermo-mechanically affected zone (TMAZ), the heat-affected zone (HAZ), and the base metal—were examined. The joint was observed to be free of defects but featured uneven flash formation. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analysis showed substantial changes in high-angle grain boundaries, low-angle grain boundaries, and twin boundaries in the TMAZ and HAZ. Moreover, significant refinement in grain size (2–5 μm) was observed at the WI/TMAZ with reference to the base metal. The possible causes of these are discussed. The microhardness profile across the welded joint shows variation in hardness. The changes in hardness are ascribed to grain refinement, phase transformation, and the dissolution of strengthening precipitates. The tensile test results reveal that a joint efficiency of 100% can be achieved using this method.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of friction welded carbon steel(EN24) and nickel-based superalloy(IN718)

Continuous-drive rotary friction welding was performed to join cylindrical specimens of carbon steel(EN24) and nickel-based superalloy(IN718), and the microstructures of three distinct weld zones—the weld interface(WI)/thermo-mechanically affected zone(TMAZ),the heat-affected zone(HAZ), and the base metal—were examined.The joint was observed to be free of defects but featured uneven flash formation.Electron backscatter diffraction(EBSD) analysis showed substantial changes in high-angle grain boundaries, low-angle grain boundaries, and twin boundaries in the TMAZ and HAZ.Moreover, significant refinement in grain size(2 –5 μm) was observed at the WI/TMAZ with reference to the base metal.The possible causes of these are discussed.The microhardness profile across the welded joint shows variation in hardness.The changes in hardness are ascribed to grain refinement, phase transformation, and the dissolution of strengthening precipitates.The tensile test results reveal that a joint efficiency of 100% can be achieved using this method.     

Fusion boundary evolution,precipitation behaviour,and interaction with dislocations in an Fe–22Cr–15Ni steel weldment during long-term creep

A tungsten inert gas welded joint between a novel heat-resistant austenitic steel and ERNiCrCoMo-1 weld metal was investigated before and after creep in this study. The evolution of the microstructures in the base and weld metals was discussed based on the electron back-scatter diffraction(EBSD) and transmission electron microscopy(TEM) analyses. The preferred orientations of the fusion boundary after creep revealed the influence of the applied stress on creep deformation mechanism. A cooperative nucleation process of M_(23)C_6 carbides in the base metal was proposed. The finely distributed Cu-rich phase was cut off by the dislocations during creep, leading to increased mean size and reduced amount of the nano-Cu phase. A modified triple-precipitate hardening model was constructed based on TEM observations of the interactions between the particles and the dislocations in the base metal after creep at 200 MPa. The evolution of a μ phase in the weld metal involved epitaxial growth and dissolving into the matrix.     

Saturation phenomenon of Ce and Ti in the modification of Al-Zn-Si filler metal

Cerium and titanium were added to an Al-42Zn-6.5Si brazing alloy, and the subsequent microstructures of the brazing alloy and the 6061 Al alloy brazing seam were investigated. The microstructures of filler metals and brazed joints were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray energy dispersion spectrometry. A new Ce-Ti phase formed around the silicon phase in the modified filler metal and this saturation phenomenon was analyzed. Interestingly, following brazing of the 6061 alloy, there is no evidence of the Ce-Ti phase in the brazing seam. Because of the mutual solubility of the brazing alloy and base metal, the quantity of the solvent increases, and the solute Ce and Ti atoms assume an undersaturated state.     

Saturation phenomenon of Ce and Ti in the modification of Al–Zn–Si filler metal

Cerium and titanium were added to an Al–42Zn–6.5Si brazing alloy, and the subsequent microstructures of the brazing alloy and the 6061 Al alloy brazing seam were investigated. The microstructures of filler metals and brazed joints were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray energy dispersion spectrometry. A new Ce–Ti phase formed around the silicon phase in the modified filler metal and this saturation phenomenon was analyzed. Interestingly, following brazing of the 6061 alloy, there is no evidence of the Ce–Ti phase in the brazing seam. Because of the mutual solubility of the brazing alloy and base metal, the quantity of the solvent increases, and the solute Ce and Ti atoms assume an undersaturated state.     

Microstructural characterization of electron beam welded joints of TiAl-based in-termetallic compound

The feasibility to use electron beam welding to join the nominal composition Ti-48Al-2Cr-2Nb alloy was assessed. The microstructure characterization and cracking susceptibility of the joints were evaluated by means of OM, SEM, XRD, and microhardness. It was found that the welded microstructure exhibited columnar and dendritic structures. Microstructural constituents in the fusion zone were a massive gamma structure and some amount of lamellar structure consisting of alternating platelets of α2 and γ. The major contributing factor to the susceptibility to solidification cracking was microsturctural change in this study for the suppression of α phase decomposition leading to produce more retained α2 brittle phase. Compared with transgranular cleavage fracture in the base metal, the weld metal exhibited mainly translamellar fracture.     

Addition of cerium and yttrium to ferritic steel weld metal to improve hydrogen trapping efficiency

The applicability of Ce and Y as promising candidate elements to form irreversible traps in weld metal was investigated by thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS) with gas chromatography (GC).The precise nature of the precipitate particles newly formed in the weld metal by the addition of Ce and Y to a certain alloy system was characterized.Moreover,the hydrogen trapping efficiency expressed as the reduction of the diffusible hydrogen in the weld metal was analyzed.The results showed that the addition of Ce and/or Y to this alloy system led to the formation of a mixed type of (Ce,Ti)-based oxide,(Y,Ni)-based carbide,or (Ce,Y,Ti)-based oxide particles.Because of the high activation energy of the mixed type of particles (≥ 150 kJ/mol),the trapping efficiency for hydrogen was considered to be sufficiently high to effectively reduce the diffusible hydrogen content.     

Effect of welding process on the microstructure and properties of dissimilar weld joints between low alloy steel and duplex stainless steel

To obtain high-quality dissimilar weld joints, the processes of metal inert gas (MIG) welding and tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding for duplex stainless steel (DSS) and low alloy steel were compared in this paper. The microstructure and corrosion morphology of dissimilar weld joints were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM); the chemical compositions in different zones were detected by energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS); the mechanical properties were measured by microhardness test, tensile test, and impact test; the corrosion behavior was evaluated by polarization curves. Obvious concentration gradients of Ni and Cr exist between the fusion boundary and the type II boundary, where the hardness is much higher. The impact toughness of weld metal by MIG welding is higher than that by TIG welding. The corrosion current density of TIG weld metal is higher than that of MIG weld metal in a 3.5wt% NaCl solution. Galvanic corrosion happens between low alloy steel and weld metal, revealing the weakness of low alloy steel in industrial service. The quality of joints produced by MIG welding is better than that by TIG welding in mechanical performance and corrosion resistance. MIG welding with the filler metal ER2009 is the suitable welding process for dissimilar metals jointing between UNS S31803 duplex stainless steel and low alloy steel in practical application.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of ultralow carbon high-strength steel weld metals with or without Cu-Nb addition

Two types of ultralow carbon steel weld metals(with and without added Cu-Nb) were prepared using gas metal arc welding(GMAW) to investigate the correlation between the microstructure and mechanical properties of weld metals.The results of microstructure characterization showed that the weld metal without Cu-Nb was mainly composed of acicular ferrite(AF), lath bainite(LB), and granular bainite(GB).In contrast, adding Cu-Nb to the weld metal caused an evident transformation of martensite and grain coarsening.Both weld metals had a high tensile strength(more than 950 MPa) and more than 17% elongation; however, their values of toughness deviated greatly,with a difference of approximately 40 J at-50℃.Analysis of the morphologies of the fracture surfaces and secondary cracks further revealed the correlation between the microstructure and mechanical properties.The effects of adding Cu and Nb on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the weld metal are discussed; the indication is that adding Cu-Nb increases the hardenability and grain size of the weld metal and thus deteriorates the toughness.     

Characterizations of dissimilar S32205/316L welds using austenitic,super-austenitic and super-duplex filler metals

UNS S32205 duplex stainless steel plates were welded to AISI 316L stainless steel using the pulsed gas tungsten arc welding process with three different filler metals: ER2594, ER312, and ER385. The microstructures of the welds were characterized using optical and scanning electron microscopy, and all of the specimens were evaluated by ferrite measurements. The mechanical properties were studied through hardness, tensile, and impact tests. In addition, the pitting resistance equivalent number was calculated and cyclic polarization tests were performed to evaluate the corrosion resistance of the weld metal. The results showed that chromium nitride was formed in the heat-affected zone of the duplex side, whereas no sigma phase was detected in any of the specimens. The ferrite number increased from the root pass to the final pass. The absorbed energies of the impact test decreased with increasing ferrite number, whereas the tensile strength was enhanced. The fully austenitic microstructure of the specimen welded with ER385 exhibited the highest resistance to pitting corrosion at 25°C, and the super-duplex weld metal presented superior corrosion resistance at 50°C.     

Characterizations of dissimilar S32205/316L welds using austenitic,super-austenitic and super-duplex filler metals

UNS S32205 duplex stainless steel plates were welded to AISI 316 L stainless steel using the pulsed gas tungsten arc welding process with three different filler metals: ER2594, ER312, and ER385. The microstructures of the welds were characterized using optical and scanning electron microscopy, and all of the specimens were evaluated by ferrite measurements. The mechanical properties were studied through hardness,tensile, and impact tests. In addition, the pitting resistance equivalent number was calculated and cyclic polarization tests were performed to evaluate the corrosion resistance of the weld metal. The results showed that chromium nitride was formed in the heat-affected zone of the duplex side,whereas no sigma phase was detected in any of the specimens. The ferrite number increased from the root pass to the final pass. The absorbed energies of the impact test decreased with increasing ferrite number, whereas the tensile strength was enhanced. The fully austenitic microstructure of the specimen welded with ER385 exhibited the highest resistance to pitting corrosion at 25°C, and the super-duplex weld metal presented superior corrosion resistance at 50°C.     

Investigation of secondary phases and tensile strength of nitrogen-containing Alloy 718 weldment

The influence of nitrogen content on the precipitation of secondary phases and the tensile strength of Alloy 718 during gas tungsten arc welding was investigated. Various types of precipitates were characterized using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that in the fusion zone, the volume fraction of Nb-rich phases such as Laves,(Nb,Ti)C, and δ phases, as well as Ti-rich phases such as(Ti,Nb)CN and(Ti,Nb)N, increased with increase in the nitrogen content due to the microsegregation of Nb and Ti within interdendritic areas. Nitrogen was also found to decrease the size of γ′′ particles within γ dendrites. For precipitates in the partially melted zone, constitutional liquation was observed for both(Nb,Ti)C and(Ti,Nb)N particles. Based on the results of tensile tests, the weld containing 0.015 wt% nitrogen exhibited the highest ultimate tensile strength(UTS), whereas more addition of nitrogen led to a decrease in both the UTS and yield strength due to the increased content of brittle Laves phases and decreased size of γ′′.     

添加或未添加 Cu?Nb 的超低碳高强度钢焊接金属的显微组织和力学性能

Two types of ultralow carbon steel weld metals (with and without added Cu?Nb) were prepared using gas metal arc welding (GMAW) to investigate the correlation between the microstructure and mechanical properties of weld metals. The results of microstructure characterization showed that the weld metal without Cu?Nb was mainly composed of acicular ferrite (AF), lath bainite (LB), and granular bainite (GB). In contrast, adding Cu?Nb to the weld metal caused an evident transformation of martensite and grain coarsening. Both weld metals had a high tensile strength (more than 950 MPa) and more than 17% elongation; however, their values of toughness deviated greatly, with a difference of approximately 40 J at ?50°C. Analysis of the morphologies of the fracture surfaces and secondary cracks further revealed the correlation between the microstructure and mechanical properties. The effects of adding Cu and Nb on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the weld metal are discussed; the indication is that adding Cu?Nb increases the hardenability and grain size of the weld metal and thus deteriorates the toughness.     

Investigation on the homogenization treatment and element segregation on the microstructure of a γ/γ′-cobalt-based superalloy

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of element segregation on the microstructure and γ′ phase in a γ/γ′ cobalt-based superalloy. Several samples were prepared from a cast alloy and homogenized at 1300°C for different times, with a maximum of 24 h. A microstructural study of the cast alloy using wavelength-dispersive spectroscopic analysis revealed that elements such as Al, Ti, and Ni segregated mostly within interdendritic regions, whereas W atoms were segregated within dendrite cores. With an increase in homogenization time, segregation decreased and the initial dendritic structure was eliminated. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy micrographs showed that the γ′ phases in the cores and interdendritic regions of the as-cast alloy were 392 and 124 nm, respectively. The size difference of γ′ was found to be due to the different segregation behaviors of constituent elements during solidification. After homogenization, particularly after 16 h, segregation decreased; thus, the size, chemical composition, and hardness of the precipitated γ′ phase was mostly uniform throughout the samples.     

Microstructures and mechanical properties of dissimilar Nd:YAG laser weldments of AISI4340 and AISI316L steels

This paper presents studies on the microstructure and mechanical properties of AISI 316L stainless steel and AISI 4340 low-alloy steel joints formed by the Nd:YAG laser welding process. The weld microstructures and heat affected zones (HAZs) were investigated. Austenitic microstructures were observed in all of the samples. The sizes of the HAZs changed when the heat input was varied, and the 316L sides exhibited a larger HAZ. The cooling rates were calculated by measuring the solidification dendrite arm spacing. It is shown that high cooling rates lead to an austenitic microstructure. Tensile tests were carried out, and the results revealed the tensile properties of both the base metals and the weldments. The hardness test results agreed well with the tensile test results.     

Microstructural analyses of aluminum–magnesium–silicon alloys welded by pulsed Nd: YAG laser welding

Revealing grains and very fine dendrites in a solidified weld metal of aluminum–magnesium–silicon alloys is difficult and thus,there is no evidence to validate the micro-and meso-scale physical models for hot cracks. In this research, the effect of preheating on the microstructure and hot crack creation in the pulsed laser welding of AA 6061 was investigated by an optical microscope and field emission electron microscopy. Etching was carried out in the gas phase using fresh Keller's reagent for 600 s. The results showed that the grain size of the weld metal was proportional to the grain size of the base metal and was independent of the preheating temperature. Hot cracks passed the grain boundaries of the weld and the base metal. Lower solidification rates in the preheated samples led to coarser arm spacing; therefore, a lower cooling rate. Despite the results predicted by the micro and meso-scale models, lower cooling rates resulted in increased hot cracks. The cracks could grow in the weld metal after solidification; therefore, hot cracks were larger than predicted by the hot crack prediction models.     

Microstructural analyses of aluminum–magnesium–silicon alloys welded by pulsed Nd: YAG laser welding

Revealing grains and very fine dendrites in a solidified weld metal of aluminum–magnesium–silicon alloys is difficult and thus,there is no evidence to validate the micro-and meso-scale physical models for hot cracks. In this research, the effect of preheating on the microstructure and hot crack creation in the pulsed laser welding of AA 6061 was investigated by an optical microscope and field emission electron microscopy. Etching was carried out in the gas phase using fresh Keller’s reagent for 600 s. The results showed that the grain size of the weld metal was proportional to the grain size of the base metal and was independent of the preheating temperature. Hot cracks passed the grain boundaries of the weld and the base metal. Lower solidification rates in the preheated samples led to coarser arm spacing;therefore, a lower cooling rate. Despite the results predicted by the micro and meso-scale models, lower cooling rates resulted in increased hot cracks. The cracks could grow in the weld metal after solidification;therefore, hot cracks were larger than predicted by the hot crack prediction models.     

Microstructure s and mechanical properties of Ti3Al/Ni-based superalloy joints arc welded with Ti –Nb and Ti– Ni – Nb filler alloys

Dissimilar joining of Ti3Al-based alloy to Ni-based superalloy has been carried out using gas tungsten arc(GTA) welding technology with Ti–Nb and Ti–Ni–Nb filler alloys.The joint welded with the Ti–Nb filler alloy contained much less interfacial brittle phases than the one using the Ti–Ni–Nb filler alloy.The average room-temperature tensile strength of the joint welded with Ti–Nb was 202 MPa and the strength value of the one welded with Ti–Ni–Nb was 128 MPa.For both fillers,the weak links of the dissimilar joints were the weld/In718 interfaces.The presence of TiNi,TiNi3 and Ni3Nb intermetallic compounds in the joint welded with Ti–Ni–Nb induced microcracks at the weld/In718 interface and deteriorated the mechanical properties of the joint.And the adoption of the Ti–Nb filler alloy decreased the formation tendency of interfacial brittle phases to some extent and thus enhanced the tensile strength of the joint.