Investigation on microstructure and mechanical properties on pulsed current gas tungsten arc welded super alloy 617

Abstract: Multi-pass narrow-gap welding of thick Inconel 617 plate was conducted with YLS-10000 fiber laser. The influence of different welding parameters on the joint geometry and defects was investigated. The dendrite morphology, grain distribution, crystal texture and stress distribution were analyzed. The microstructure evolution such as element segregation and precipitate behavior was also studied. The micro-hardness, tensile strength at room and high temperature, and toughness impact were measured to evaluate the mechanical properties. The results revealed that the U-shaped or V-shaped filling pass could help the formation of good layer without defects. The maximum grain size of base metal and heat affected zone was less than 200 μm. The grain size of weld zone was large, and the maximum grain size reached 500 μm. Serious stress concentration occurred in the WZ and HAZ. The elements Ti and Mo segregated seriously in the dendrites. The carbides including M6C, Ti(C, N), (Cr, Ni)(C, N) and M23C6 were precipitated in the weld metal. The microhardness, tensile strength and impact toughness of WZ were higher than that of BM at room temperature. The tensile strength decreased with increasing temperature. The fracture mode at high temperature was ductile rupture, which was caused by the accumulation of tiny cavities.

Abstract: INCONEL alloy 617 (54 Ni, 22 Cr, 12.5 Co, 9 Mo, 1 Al, 0.07 C) is a solid-solution alloy with good corrosion resistance and an exceptional combination of high-temperature strength and oxidation resistance. A laboratory study was performed to determine the effects of long-time (215 to over 10,000 h) exposure to temperatures up to 2000°F (1093°C) on the microstructure and phase stability of the alloy. To investigate the strengthening response exhibited by the alloy during high-temperature exposure, microstructures were correlated with mechanical properties. The major phase present in the alloy after exposure to all temperatures from 1200 to 2000°F (649 to 1093°C) was found to be M23C6. The phase precipitated as discrete particles and remained stable at au temperatures. No MC or M6C carbides were found. A small amount of gamma prime was found in samples exposed at 1200°F (649°C) and 1400°F (760°C). A PHACOMP analysis indicated 0.63 pct gamma prime could form. No topological close-packed phases such as sigma, mu, and chi were found. Strengthening of the alloy during exposure to temperature was found to result primarily from the precipitation of M23C6. The phase provides effective strengthening because it precipitates in discrete particles and remains stable at temperatures to 2000°F (1093°C). The amount of gamma prime formed is not sufficient to cause appreciable hardening, but it does provide some strengthening at 1200 to 1400°F (649 to 760°C).

Abstract: The microstructure and mechanical properties of Inconel 617/310 austenitic stainless steel dissimilar welds were investigated in this work. Three types of filler materials, Inconel 617, Inconel 82 and 310 austenitic stainless steels were used to obtain dissimilar joint using the gas tungsten arc welding process. Microstructural observations showed that there was no evidence of any possible cracking in the weldments achieved by the nickel-base filler materials. The welds produced by 617 and 310 filler materials displayed the highest and the lowest ultimate tensile strength and total elongation, respectively. The impact test results indicated that all specimens exhibited ductile fracture. Among the fillers, Inconel 617 exhibited superlative fracture toughness (205 J). The mechanical properties of the Inconel 617 filler material were much better than those of other fillers.

Abstract: The presence of Nb rich Laves phase in Inconel 718 weld fusion zones is known to be detrimental to weld mechanical properties. In the present study, an attempt was made to control the formation of Laves phase in alloy 718 gas tungsten arc welds using pulsed current. Welds were produced in 2 mm thick sheets of the alloy with constant current and pulsed current and were subjected to post-weld solution treatment at 980°C followed by aging. Detailed microstructural studies and tensile tests at 650°C were conducted. The results show that the use of current pulsing (i) refines the fusion zone microstructure, (ii) reduces the amount of Laves phase and exerts a favourable influence on its morphology and (iii) improves the response of the fusion zone to post-weld heat treatment and weld tensile properties.

Abstract: Transition joints in power plants between ferritic steels and austenitic stainless steels suffer from a mismatch in coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) and the migration of carbon during service from the ferritic to the austenitic steel. To overcome these, nickel-based consumables are commonly used. The use of a trimetallic combination with an insert piece of intermediate CTE provides for a more effective lowering of thermal stresses. The current work envisages a trimetallic joint involving modified 9Cr–1Mo steel and 316LN austenitic stainless steel as the base materials and Alloy 800 as the intermediate piece. Of the two joints involved, this paper describes the choice of welding consumables for the joint between Alloy 800 and 316LN. Four consumables were examined: 316, 16-8-2, Inconel 82 and Inconel 182. The comparative evaluation was based on hot cracking tests and estimation of mechanical properties and coefficient of thermal expansion. While 16-8-2 exhibited highest resistance to solidification cracking, the Inconel filler materials also showed adequate resistance; additionally, the latter were superior from the mechanical property and coefficient of thermal expansion view-points. It is therefore concluded that for the joint between Alloy 800 and 316LN the Inconel filler materials offer the best compromise.

Abstract: Effects of switching over from gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) to pulsed current gas tungsten arc welding (PCGTAW) on the quality of joints produced in Hastelloy C-276 material were investigated. Welding was carried out both by autogenous mode and using ERNiCrMo-3 filler wire. Microstructures of weld joints produced with and without current pulsing were studied using optical and scanning electron microscopy. Microsegregation occurring in GTAW and PCGTAW joints was investigated using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Strength and ductility of weld joints produced with and without pulsing were evaluated. The results show that pulsing results in refined microstructure, reduced microsegregation and improved strength of weld joints. Secondary phase(s) noticed in GTA weldments were found to be absent in PCGTA weldments. Autogenous PCGTA weldments were found to be the best in terms of: (i) freedom from microsegregation, (ii) strength and (iii) freedom from unwanted secondary phases.