Effect of Interface Form on Creep Failure and Life of Dissimilar Metal Welds Involving Nickel-Based Weld Metal and Ferritic Base Metal

For dissimilar metal welds(DMWs)involving nickel-based weld metal(WM)and ferritic heat resistant steel base metal(BM)in power plants,there must be an interface between WM and BM,and this interface suffers mechanical and microstructure mismatches and is often the rupture location of premature failure.In this study,a new form of WM/BM interface form,namely double Y-type interface was designed for the DMWs.Creep behaviors and life of DMWs containing double Y-type interface and conventional I-type interface were compared by finite element analysis and creep tests,and creep failure mechanisms were investigated by stress-strain analysis and microstructure characterization.By applying double Y-type interface instead of conventional I-type interface,failure location of DMW could be shifted from the WM/ferritic heat-affected zone(HAZ)interface into the ferritic HAZ or even the ferritic BM,and the failure mode change improved the creep life of DMW.The interface premature failure of I-type interface DMW was related to the coupling effect of microstructure degradation,stress and strain concentrations,and oxide notch on the WM/HAZ interface.The creep failure of double Y-type interface DMW was the result of Type IV fracture due to the creep voids and micro-cracks on fine-grain boundaries in HAZ,which was a result of the matrix softening of HAZ and lack of precipitate pinning at fine-grain boundaries.The double Y-type interface form separated the stress and strain concentrations in DMW from the WM/HAZ interface,preventing the trigger effect of oxide notch on interface failure and inhibiting the interfacial microstructure cracking.It is a novel scheme to prolong creep life and enhance reliability of DMW,by means of optimizing the interface form,decoupling the damage factors from WM/HAZ interface,and then changing the failure mechanism and shifting the failure location.

Failure Analysis of Dissimilar Metal Welds between Ferritic Heat Resistant Steels and Austenitic Stainless Steels in Power Plant

This study analysed the failure of dissimilar metal welds(DMWs)between ferritic heat resistant steels and austenitic stainless steels and investigated its influencing factors by means of numerical simulation,microstructure characterization and mechanical property test.Under the long-term high-temperature service condition in practical power plant,the DMW failure mode was along the interface between nickel-based weld metal(WM)and ferritic heat resistant steel,and the failure mechanism was stress/strain concentration,microstructure degradation and oxidation coupling acting on the interface.The numerical simulation results show that interface stress/strain concentration was due to the differences in coefficient of thermal expansion and creep strength,and the degree of stress/strain concentration was related to service time.The ferrite band formed at the WM/ferritic steel interface was prone to cracking,attracting the fracture along the interface.The interface crack allowed oxidation to develop along the WM/ferritic steel interface.During long-term service,the interface stress/strain concentration,microstructure and oxidation all evolved,which synergistically promoted interface failure of DMW.However,only under the long-term service of low stress conditions could trigger the interface failure of DMW.Meanwhile,long-term service would reduce the mechanical strength and plasticity of DMW.

Robust Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm for Modeling the Effectof Oxides Thermal Properties on AMIG 304L Stainless Steel Welds

There are several advantages to the MIG(Metal Inert Gas)process,which explains its increased use in variouswelding sectors,such as automotive,marine,and construction.A variant of the MIG process,where the sameequipment is employed except for the deposition of a thin layer of flux before the welding operation,is the AMIG(Activated Metal Inert Gas)technique.This study focuses on investigating the impact of physical properties ofindividual metallic oxide fluxes for 304L stainless steel welding joint morphology and to what extent it can helpdetermine a relationship among weld depth penetration,the aspect ratio,and the input physical properties ofthe oxides.Five types of oxides,TiO_(2),SiO_(2),Fe_(2)O_(3),Cr_(2)O_(3),and Mn_(2)O_(3),are tested on butt joint design withoutpreparation of the edges.A robust algorithm based on the particle swarm optimization(PSO)technique is appliedto optimally tune the models’parameters,such as the quadratic error between the actual outputs(depth and aspectratio),and the error estimated by the models’outputs is minimized.The results showed that the proposed PSOmodel is first and foremost robust against uncertainties in measurement devices and modeling errors,and second,that it is capable of accurately representing and quantifying the weld depth penetration and the weld aspect ratioto the oxides’thermal properties.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of friction welds between TiA l alloy and 40Cr steel rods

Direct friction welding of Ti Al alloy to 40 Cr steel rods was conducted, and the microstructure and mechanical properties of the resultant joints in as-welded and post-weld heat treatment（PWHT） states were investigated. The martensitic transformation occurred and brittle Ti C phase formed near the interface due to C agglomeration, which degraded the joint strength and increased the microhardness at the interface in as-welded state. Feathery and Widmanstatten structure generated near the interface on Ti Al alloy side. After PWHT at 580 °C and 630 °C for 2 h, the sorbite formed and C dispersed at the interface, leading to the increase of the joint strength from 86 MPa in as-welded state to 395 MPa and 330 MPa, respectively. The heat-treated specimen fractured with quasi-cleavage features through the zone 1 mm away from the interface on TiA l alloy side, but the as-welded specimen failed through the interface.

Microstructure characterization and quasi-static failure behavior of resistance spot welds of AA6111-T4 aluminum alloy

The microstructure, microhardness and quasi-static failure behavior of resistance spot welds of AA6111-T4 aluminum alloy were experimentally investigated. Optical metallography and high-resolution hardness traverses were utilized to characterize the weld nugget, heat affected zone and base metal. The AA6111 spot welds displayed a softer nugget and hardened heat affected zone, compared with the base metal. The through-thickness hardness of the base metal sheet was not constant and had to be carefully considered to determine the effect of welding on material properties. Quasi-static lap-shear tensile tests were used to determine the failure load and failure mode. All tensile specimens failed through the interfacial fracture. This failure mode is consistent with the observed reduced hardness in the weld nugget.

Mechanical properties and fracture toughness of rail steels and thermite welds at low temperature

Brittle fracture occurs frequently in rails and thermite welded joints, which intimidates the security and reliability of railway ser- vice. Railways in cold regions, such as Qinghai-Tibet Railway, make the problem of brittle fi＇acture in rails even worse. A series of tests such as uniaxial tensile tests, Charpy impact tests, and three-point bending tests were carried out at low temperature to investigate the mechanical properties and fracture toughness of U71Mn and U75V rail steels and their thermite welds. Fracture micromechanisms were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy （SEM） on the fracture surfaces of the tested specimens. The ductility indices （percentage elongation aider frac- ture and percentage reduction of area） and the toughness indices （Charpy impact energy Ak and plane-strain fracture toughness Kic） of the two kinds of rail steels and the corresponding thermite welds all decrease as the temperature decreases. The thermite welds are more critical to fracture than the rail steel base metals, as indicated by a higher yield-to-ultimate ratio and a much lower Charpy impact energy. U71Mn rail steel is relatively higher in toughness than U75V, as demonstrated by larger Ak and Klc values. Therefore, U71Mn rail steel and the corresponding thermite weld are recommended in railway construction and maintenance in cold regions.

Effect of Mn and MnS on corrosion properties of domestic pipeline steels and welds

Base metals of domestic pipeline steels were used to study the effect of Mn on corrosion properties of SSCC(Sulfide Stress Corrosion Cracking), and welds were carried out to study the effect of MnS on corrosion properties of HIC (Hydrogen Induced Cracking) both in solutions with wet hydrogen sulfide(H_2S). They were respectively conducted by referring to the standards of SSCC and HIC. Testing results revealed that with the increase of content Mn, the resistance of SSCC will be decreased, from the point of metallurgic view, and it is Mn element not C element to lead to the testing results of SSCC. Meanwhile, even under the condition without inclusions MnS, HIC in welds still occurred. That is to say, MnS is not necessary for HIC, the presence of local banded structures in which Mn and P are inclined to aggregate cause to the phenomena of HIC.

Effects of process parameters and die geometry on longitudinal welds quality in aluminum porthole die extrusion process

By using the rigid-visco-plasticity finite element method, the welding process of aluminum porthole die extrusion to form a tube was simulated based on Deform-3D software. The welding chamber height （H）, back dimension of die leg （D）, process velocity and initial billet temperature were used in FE simulations so as to determine the conditions in which better longitudinal welding quality can be obtained. According to K criterion, the local welding parameters such as welding pressure, effective stress and welding path length on the welding plane are linked to longitudinal welds quality. Simulation turns out that pressure-to-effective stress ratio （ρ/σ） and welding path length （L） are the key factors affecting the welding quality, Higher welding chamber best and sharper die leg give better welding quality. When H=10 mm and D=0.4 mm, the longitudinal welds have the best quality. Higher process velocity decreases welds quality. The proper velocity is 10 mm/s for this simulation. In a certain range, higher temperature is beneficial to the longitudinal welds. It is found that both 450 and 465℃ can satisfy the requirements of the longitudinal welds.

Comparison of experimental methods to evaluate seam welds quality in extruded profiles

The wedge and bulge expansion tests were compared in the assessment of the seam welds strength in a tubular profile extruded at two ram speeds.In the wedge test,the expansion was determined by moving a conical punch into the tube until the specimen fracture.In the bulge test,a hydrostatic tensile stress state was applied by expanding the specimen with an internal rubber plug.The two methodologies were compared in terms of load and hoop strain at fracture and by detecting the fracture morphology and location.Then,the effect of a number of design parameters was investigated in order to evaluate the robustness of the standard testing conditions.For both tests,ductile fractures appeared in the seam welds location,but the bulge test was more robust and conservative with respect to the wedge test,showing less scattered data.Thus,the performances of a second die for the tube profile,designed to optimize the seam welds quality,have been successfully assessed by the bulge test and results compared to those achieved by a novel numerical quality index,coming to a final good matching.

Residual Stresses and Micro-Hardness Testing in Evaluating the Heat Affected Zone’s Width of Ferritic Ductile Iron Arc Welds

Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) in Ductile Irons (DI) is often required by foundries for practical manufacturing reasons. The mechanical properties of the welded structures are strongly dependent on their HAZ’s width. A model based on the behaviour of the ferritic matrix of high-Si DIs in order to make an approach in measuring their HAZ’s width is developed in this study. A series of thermal treatments on 3.35 and 3.75 wt% Si as-cast DIs and spot SMAWs is applied on these materials. The applied SMAWs are done on non-preheated and preheated samples (150℃ - 300℃). For welding we modify the amperage (100 - 140A). The micro-hardness Vickers changes in the ferrite of the as-cast samples and inside the HAZ of the welded ones can be attributed to the existence of residual stresses (RS) in the ferritic matrix and assist in estimating the HAZ’s width.

A POTENTIAL METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE HAZ PROPERTIES IN WELDS USING TWO-MATERIAL IMPRESSION CREEP TEST

The results of a theoretical and finite element (FE) investigation of a two-material impression creep test method, using a rectangular indenter, are presented. The method uses a general formulation for steady-state creep deformation for multi-material components in conjunction with the results of FE analyses. The practical application of the proposed technique, in determining the secondary creep properties of heat-affected zone (HAZ) materials in welds, for which conventional creep testing methods cannot be used, is considered. A number of numerical examples are used to describe solution procedures and to verify the method.

NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF ULTRASONIC NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING FOR WELDS

A computer simulation technique for ultrasonic propagation is utilized for the simulation of ultrasonic nondestructive testing (NDT). In this paper, one goal of the simulation is to compute ultrasonic field radiated by arbitrary transducers into pieces under examination. The other simulates a testing experiment. The simulation approach is based on the model for the computation of the ultrasonic field in isotropic media radiated from actual NDT transducers. After the field is known, remaining to be modeled is the interaction between this field and the scatters (defect) and the echo structure. The model of beam-defect interaction is based on the Kirchhoff’s diffraction approximations theory applied to elastodynamics. We assumed that the incident wave fronts on the defect are plane in the case of a focused immersed transducer and material is isotropic and homogeneous. The simulating results demonstrate that the model in ultrasonic NDT of welds is practical in further research and useful in optimizing testi

Effect of Conventional and Pulsed TIG Welding on Microstructural and Mechanical Characteristics of AA 6082-T6 Repair Welds

Repair welding of AA 6082-T6 joints was carried out using ER 4043 filler through the TIG welding process with or without pulsed current.Microstructure and mechanical characteristics of the joints before and after repairing were investigated by examining macrostructure,microstructure,and distributions of porosity in the weld metal(WM),and by hardness,tensile,and bending tests.We observed that the welding current,phase transformations in heat-affected zone(HAZ)and porosity introduced in the WM during welding influence on its mechanical properties in sequence.The experimental results showed that the bead width and penetration as well as size of pores in the joints were mainly influenced by the welding currents.The sound joints were obtained at a welding current of 140 A with or without pulsed current when welding speed and gas flow rate were set at 20 cm·min-1 and 15 L·min-1,respectively.Among them,the decrease in mechanical properties of repair weld(RW)was directly related to the phase transformations in the over-ageing zone due to the double welding thermal cycles and elevated distribution of porosity in the WM.In addition,it was observed that the comparatively smaller grain size and lower porosity in WM of the RW produced by pulsed TIG welding gave a positive effect on its mechanical properties.

THE EXACT SOLUTION OF STRESS DISTRIBUTION IN FILLET WELDS

The exact solution of stress distribution in fillet welds under the action of bending moment M is presented in this paper. Together with the exact solution of stress distribution in fillet welds under the action of concentrated force P given in an earlier paper([1]), designers of weldments can improve their work on the foundation of exact analytical solutions.

Inspection of pipeline girth welds with ultrasonic phased array technique

A novel automatic ultrasonic system used for the inspection of pipeline girth welds is developed, in which a linear phased array transducer using electronic scan is adopted. Optimal array parameters are determined based on a mathematical model of acoustic field for linear phased army derived from Huygens＇ principle. The testing method and the system structure are introduced. The experimental results show that the phased array transducer system has the same detectability as that of conventional ultrasonic transducer system, but the system architecture can be simplified greatly, and the testing flexibility and the testing speed can be improved greatly.

Frequency related localisation of harmonic elastic waves in stratified welds

The paper presents a computational model for elastic waves in a structured weld adjacent to the free surface of an elastic solid. The main emphasis is on the interaction of waves with the micro-structure of the weld. Effects of localisation and channeling of waves are addressed. A model of a grain structure within the weld is also considered.

Evolving properties of friction stir spot welds between AA1060 and commercially pure copper C11000

Friction stir spot welding technique was employed to join pure copper （C11000） and pure aluminium （AA1060） sheets. The evolving properties of the welds produced were characterized. The spot welds were produced by varying the rotational speed, shoulder plunge depth using different tool geometries. The presence of a copper ring of different lengths was observed on both sides of the welds indicating that Cu extruded upward into the Al sheet which contributed to obtaining strong welds. The microstructure showed the presence of copper particles in the aluminium matrix which led to the presence of various intermetallics observed by the energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The maximum tensile failure load increases with an increase in the shoulder plunge depth, except for the weld produced at 800 r/min using a conical pin and a concave shoulder. A nugget pull-out failure mode occurred in all the friction stir spot welds under the lap-shear loading conditions. High peaks of Vickers microhardness values were obtained in the vicinity of the keyhole of most of the samples which correlated to the presence of intermetallics in the stir zone of the welds.

Process forces and heat input as function of process parameters in AA5083 friction stir welds

AA5083 friction stir welds were produced using systematic experimental design, the process forces and heat input with varying parameters were studied. Helpful empirical models were developed in designing friction stir welding （FSW） tools and FSW welders. These models may be further helpful for making process parameter choice for this sort of alloy, defining welding program and control of process parameters by using computer numerical control friction stir welding welders. The results show that tool rotational speed, welding speed and tool shoulder diameter are most significant parameters affecting axial force and heat input, while longitudinal force is significantly affected by welding speed and probe diameter.

Optimizing the micro-arc oxidation (MAO) parameters to attain coatings with minimum porosity and maximum hardness on the friction stir welded AA6061 aluminium alloy welds

Micro-arc oxidation(MAO) technique is capable of producing dense oxide films on the aluminium alloy surface. This oxide film protects the aluminium alloy from the corrosion attack for longer duration.Empirical relationships were derived to evaluate the MAO coating properties(porosity and hardness) by incorporating very important MAO parameters(current density, inter-electrode distance and oxidation time). MAO parameters were also optimized to achieve coatings with minimum porosity and maximum hardness. Further, the effect of MAO parameters on coating characteristics was analysed. From the results, it is found that the current density has greater influence on the responses than the other two parameters.

Effect of Tool Shoulder and Pin Probe Profiles on Friction Stirred Aluminum Welds-a Comparative Study

In marine application,marine grade steel is generally used for haul and superstructures.However,aluminum has also become a good choice due to its lightweight qualities,while rusting of aluminum is minimal compared to steel.In this paper a study on friction stir welding of aluminum alloys was presented.The present investigation deals with the effects of different friction stir welding tool geometries on mechanical strength and the microstructure properties of aluminum alloy welds.Three distinct tool geometries with different types of shoulder and tool probe profiles were used in the investigation according to the design matrix.The effects of each tool shoulder and probe geometry on the weld was evaluated.It was also observed that the friction stir weld tool geometry has a significant effect on the weldment reinforcement,microhardness,and weld strength.