Recent research progress in the mechanism and suppression of fusion welding-induced liquation cracking of nickel based superalloys

Nickel-based superalloys are extensively used in the crucial hot-section components of industrial gas turbines,aeronautics,and astronautics because of their excellent mechanical properties and corrosion resistance at high temperatures.Fusion welding serves as an effective means for joining and repairing these alloys;however,fusion welding-induced liquation cracking has been a challenging issue.This paper comprehensively reviewed recent liquation cracking,discussing the formation mechanisms,cracking criteria,and remedies.In recent investigations,regulating material composition,changing the preweld heat treatment of the base metal,optimizing the welding process parameters,and applying auxiliary control methods are effective strategies for mitigating cracks.To promote the application of nickel-based superalloys,further research on the combination impact of multiple elements on cracking prevention and specific quantitative criteria for liquation cracking is necessary.

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 secondaryγ′particles in the matrix,primaryγ′particles in the base metal grew to"ogdoadically diced cubes"of about 2μm 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 spheroidalγ′particles with sizes of about 0.2μm 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.

HAZ CRACKING AND HOT DUCTILITY OF Ni_3AI CONTAINING Zr ALLOY

The HAZ cracking test in EB welding condition and hot ductility test show that the cracking mechanism is the formation of Ni - Ni5Zr eutectic which is resulting from the enrichment of Zr in grain boundaries during welding.In order to eliminate HAZ cracks the diffusion and recrystalization anealing treatment after cast and during cold rolling should be conducted in vacuum or protecting atmosphere and at the same time a slow welding speed is necessary.

THE EFFECT OF BORON AND CARBON ADDITION ON WELDABILITY OF DS TMS-75 SUPERALLOY

Four alloys TMS-75 (Base), Base+B, Base+C and TMD-103 (Base+B+C) with varying levels of B, C were directionally solidified (DS), and their weldability was investigated by bead-on-plate electron beam welding. It was found that cracking occurred in the weld-metal, as well as in the heat affected zone (HAZ). Both γ/γ' and/or γ/carbide eutectic contributed to the weld-metal cracking, and the γ/γ' eutectic was found to be mainly responsible for cracking in HAZ. However, constitutional liquation of carbides seems to have made some contribution also. The B addition had a detrimental effect on HAZ cracking susceptibility, while C addition improved it appreciably even in the presence of B. In addition, no obvious differences were observed in cracking susceptibility of weld-metal in the four alloys. The cracking modes and mechanisms underlying the effect of B and C addition on weldability could be explained on the basis of microstructures of the four alloys.

Local melting mechanism and its effects on mechanical properties of friction spot welded joint for Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy

Local melting and the eutectic film and liquation crack formation mechanisms during friction spot weld- ing （FSpW） of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy were studied by both experiment and finite element simulation. Their effects on mechanical properties of the joint were examined. When the welding heat input was high, the peak temperature in the stir zone was higher than the incipient melting temperature of the Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy. This resulted in local melting along the grain boundaries in this zone. In the retreating stage of the welding process, the formed liquid phase was driven by the flowing plastic material and redistributed as a ＂U-shaped＂ line in the stir zone. In the following cooling stage, this liquid phase transformed into eutectic films and liquation cracks. As a result, a new characteristic of＂U＂ line that consisted of eutectic films and liquation cracks is formed in the FSpWjoin. This ＂U＂ line was located in the high stress region when the FSpW joint was loaded, thus it was adverse to the mechanical properties of the FSpW joint. During tensile shear tests, the ＂U＂ line became a preferred crack propagation path, resulting in the occurrence of brittle fracture.