Showing papers on "Shielding gas published in 2011"

Morphology investigation on direct current pulsed gas tungsten arc welded additive layer manufactured Ti6Al4V alloy.

Abstract: The effects of pulsed gas tungsten arc welding parameters on the morphology of additive layer manufactured Ti6Al4V has been investigated in this study. The peak/base current ratio and pulse frequency are found to have no significant effect on the refinement of prior beta grain size. However, it is found that the wire feed rate has a considerable effect on the prior beta grain refinement at a given heat input. This is due to the extra wire input being able to supply many heterogeneous nucleation sites and also results in a negative temperature gradient in the front of the liquidus which blocks the columnar growth and changes the columnar growth to equiaixal growth.

Welding of thick stainless steel plates up to 50 mm with high brightness lasers

Abstract: Thick-section stainless steels are widely used in the components and structures for nuclear power plants. Laser welding is being considered as a high-efficiency method instead of arc welding for some components, so as to improve the production efficiency and reduce the residual stresses of the heat-affected zone. In this paper, multipasses narrow-gap welding of 50 mm thick Type 316L plates with an 8 kW disk laser was first investigated. The effect of welding conditions on the weld bead geometry and welding defects was studied. It shows that lack of fusion could be prevented by optimizing the relationship between laser power intensity and the deposited metal volume. Butt joint of 50 mm thick plates with narrow gap could be performed with eight-layers welding at laser power of 6 kW and welding speed of 0.4 m/min. In order to reduce the weld passes further, gas jet assisted laser welding was tried to weld thick Type 316L plates with a 10 kW fiber laser. The result shows that butt-joint welding of 40 mm plates without filler wire could be carried out at 0.3 m/min welding speed with no porosity or other welding defects. As for 50 mm thick plate, a good weld bead could be obtained with bead-on-plate welding from both sides at 0.2 m/min welding speed.

Optimization of laser butt welding parameters with multiple performance characteristics

Abstract: This paper presents a study carried out on 3.5 kW cooled slab laser welding of 904 L super austenitic stainless steel. The joints have butts welded with different shielding gases, namely argon, helium and nitrogen, at a constant flow rate. Super austenitic stainless steel (SASS) normally contains high amount of Mo, Cr, Ni, N and Mn. The mechanical properties are controlled to obtain good welded joints. The quality of the joint is evaluated by studying the features of weld bead geometry, such as bead width (BW) and depth of penetration (DOP). In this paper, the tensile strength and bead profiles (BW and DOP) of laser welded butt joints made of AISI 904 L SASS are investigated. The Taguchi approach is used as a statistical design of experiment (DOE) technique for optimizing the selected welding parameters. Grey relational analysis and the desirability approach are applied to optimize the input parameters by considering multiple output variables simultaneously. Confirmation experiments have also been conducted for both of the analyses to validate the optimized parameters.

Welding and Joining of Magnesium Alloys

Abstract: Welding and joining of magnesium alloys exert a profound effect on magnesium application expansion, especially in ground and air transportations where large-size, complex components are required. This applies to joints between different grades of cast and wrought magnesium alloys and to dissimilar joints with other materials, most frequently with aluminum and steel. Due to specific physical properties of magnesium, its welding requires low and well controlled power input. Moreover, very high affinity of magnesium alloys to oxygen requires shielding gases which protect the liquid weld from an environment. To magnify complexity, also solid state reaction with oxygen, which forms a thermodynamically stable natural oxide layer on magnesium surface, is an inherent deficiency of joining (Czerwinski, 2008). Both the conventional and novel welding techniques were adapted to satisfy these requirements, including arc welding, resistance spot welding, electromagnetic welding, friction stir welding, electron beam and laser welding. Since fusion welding has a tendency to generate porosities and part distortion, many alternative joining practices were implemented. These include soldering, brazing, adhesive bonding and mechanical fastening. However, also the latter techniques have disadvantages associated, for example, with stress induced by drilling holes during mechanical fastening, preheating during clinching or extensive surface preparation in adhesive bonding. Hence, experiments are in progress with completely novel ideas of magnesium joining. An application of magnesium is often in multi-material structures, requiring dissimilar joints, involving magnesium alloys as one side where on another end there are alloys with drastically different properties. How to weld dissimilar materials is one of the most difficult problems in welding. A difference in physicochemical properties of dissimilar joint components creates challenges for mechanically bolted assemblies as well. Due to its very low electronegative potential, magnesium is susceptible to galvanic corrosion thus affecting performance of mechanical joints in conductive environments. This chapter covers key aspects of magnesium welding and joining along with engineering applications, challenges and still existing limitations. For each technique, the typical joint characteristics and possible defects are outlined with particular attention paid to weld metallurgy and its relationship with weld strength, ductility and corrosion resistance. Although fundamentals for each technique are provided, the primary focus is on recent global activities.

Three-dimensional modelling of arc behaviour and gas shield quality in tandem gas–metal arc welding using anti-phase pulse synchronization

Abstract: The paper presents a transient three-dimensional model of an anti-phase-synchronized pulsed tandem gas–metal arc welding process, which is used to analyse arc interactions and their influence on the gas shield flow. The shielding gases considered are pure argon and a mixture of argon with 18% CO2. Comparison of the temperature fields predicted by the model with high-speed images indicates that the essential features of the interactions between the arcs are captured. The paper demonstrates strong arc deflection and kinking, especially during the low-current phase of the pulse, in agreement with experimental observations. These effects are more distinct for the argon mixture with 18% CO2. The second part of the paper demonstrates the effects of arc deflection and instabilities on the shielding gas flow and the occurrence of air contamination in the process region. The results allow an improved understanding of the causes of periodic instabilities and weld seam imperfections such as porosity, spatter, heat-tint oxidation and fume deposits.

Single-Pass Laser-Gma Hybrid Welding of 13.5 mm thick duplex stainless steel

Abstract: Single-pass solid-state laser welding of plates in the thickness range of 10 to 20 mm became possible with the invention of the fibre laser. This new technique provides excellent beam quality at powers as high as 20 kW or more, and has proved applicable in several industrial applications. By replacing conventional methods with the fibre laser, it is possible to avoid multiple-pass welding that requires time-consuming bevelling. The high energy density of the fibre laser beam also reduces the heat input and consequently the distortion. However, the rapid solidification and cooling associated with laser welding can cause imbalance of the microstructure of duplex stainless steel weldments, where excessively high ferrite contents may reduce the corrosion resistance and the ductility of the material. The solution is normally to add nickel-based filler wire and to increase the heat input. By using a hybrid welding process where the laser beam and the gas metal arc (GMA) process act in a common process zone, filler metal can be added to the molten pool at higher heat input and at the same time, higher welding speed and deeper penetration can be achieved. In this work, 13.5 mm thick 2205 (EN 1.4462, UNS S31803) was fibre laser-GMA hybrid welded in a single-pass using 14 kW of laser power and ISO 22 9 3 N L as filler wire for the GMA process. The resulting welds were free from defects, with smooth surfaces and full penetration. The investigation examines the weld metal microstructure and the effect on corrosion resistance and mechanical properties. The option to add nickel foil, when hybrid welding, was also investigated, as comparison, and the effect on austenite formation was evaluated.

Fabrication In Situ TiB2–TiC–Al2O3 Multiple Ceramic Particles Reinforced Fe-Based Composite Coatings by Gas Tungsten Arc Welding

Abstract: A Fe-based composite coating reinforced by multiple TiB2–TiC–Al2O3 ceramic particles was developed by gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) melting process. Mixture of aluminum (Al), boron carbide (B4C), and titanium dioxide (TiO2) powders was used as precursors, and as a consequence TiB2–TiC–Al2O3 multiple ceramic particles were in situ synthesized during GTAW melting process. Microstructural investigations showed that TiB2 particles exhibit a blocky morphology, TiC particles are of flower-like shape, and the Al2O3 particles exist as small black dots and located in the core of reinforced particles. The hardness and wear resistance of the coatings increased drastically in comparison with that of the substrate.

Effect of Laser Beam Welding Parameters on Microstructure and Properties of Duplex Stainless Steel

Abstract: The present study is concerned with laser beam welding and its effect on size and microstructure of fusion zone then, on mechanical and corrosion properties of duplex stainless steel welded joints. In this regard, influence of different laser welding parameters was clarified. Both bead-on-plate and autogenously butt welded joints were made using carbon dioxide laser with a maximum output of 9 kW in the continuous wave mode. Welded joints were subjected to visual, dye penetrant and radiography tests before sectioning it for different destructive tests. Accelerated corrosion test was carried out based on tafel plot technique. The results achieved in this investigation disclosed that welding parameters play an important role in obtaining satisfactory properties of welded joint. High laser power and/or high welding speed together with adjusting laser focused spot at specimen surface have produced welded joints with a remarkable decrease in fusion zone size and an acceptable weld profile with higher weld depth/width ratio. Besides, acceptable mechanical and corrosion properties were obtained. Using nitrogen as a shielding gas has resulted in improving mechanical and corrosion properties of welded joints in comparison with argon shielding. This is related to maintaining proper ferrite/austenite balance in both weld metal and HAZ in case of nitrogen shielding. As a conclusion, laser power, welding speed, defocusing distance and type of shielding gas combination have to be optimized for obtaining welded joints with acceptable profile as well as mechanical and corrosion properties.

Effect of welding processes on joint characteristics of Ti–6Al–4V alloy

Abstract: Although Ti–6Al–4V alloys show reasonable weldability characteristics, the joint properties are greatly influenced by the welding processes. Microstructures and tensile and impact properties of welded Ti–6Al–4V alloy were evaluated for high vacuum electron beam welding, CO2 laser beam welding and gas tungsten arc welding. The resultant tensile and impact properties of the welded joints are correlated with the weld metal microstructure and hardness. The results indicate that the electron beam welding is more suitable for Ti–6Al–4V sheet welding and the welding seam without defects can be obtained. The full penetration butt welds are obtained by gas tungsten arc welding process, but they have many drawbacks such as wide weld seam, big deformation and coarse grains. Laser beam welding has many advantages such as the narrowest weld seam, the least deformation and the finest grains, but it should be studied again for the reasons of unstable welding technologies and strict condition.

Effect of shielded-electrode wet welding conditions on diffusion hydrogen content in deposited metal

Abstract: Wet welding is the most popular method of joining in aquatic environments. During underwater joining, the weldability of steel is limited by the higher cooling rates and hydrogen content in the welded metals. This article presents the results of preliminary tests on the effect of wet welding conditions on diffusion hydrogen amounts. Seven parameters were optimized using a Plackett–Burman design to get the most relevant variables. These parameters were salinity of water, contamination of electrode, electrode polarity, and welding current.

Flux-cored welding wire and method for arc overlay welding using the same

Abstract: To provide a flux-cored welding wire and a method for arc overlay welding attaining excellent weldability and low dilution ratio and obtaining a weld bead excellent in corrosion resistance in overlay welding using the flux-cored welding wire having an advantage of high deposition rate and deposition efficiency. The flux-cored welding wire for gas shielded arc welding including flux filled up in an outer sheath and using pure Ar as a shielding gas contains, as percentage to the total mass of the flux-cored welding wire, C: 0.20 mass % or below, Si: 15.00 mass % or below, Mn: 20.00 mass % or below, P: 0.0500 mass % or below, S: 0.0500 mass % or below, and Cr: 15.0-50.0 mass %, with the remainder being Fe and inevitable impurities.

Experimental Investigation on Micro-Welding of Thin Stainless Steel Sheet by Fiber Laser

Abstract: Problem statement: The miniaturization of components plays an important role for manufacturing in electrical and electronic industries. The joining technology of thin metal sheets has been strongly required. Laser welding with micro-beam and high-speed scanning is a promising solution in micro-welding, because it has high-potential advantages in welding heat sensitive components with precise control of heat input and minimal thermal distortion. Approach: In this study, the characteristics of laser micro-welding of thin stainless steel sheets by using a single-mode CW fiber laser with high-speed scanning system were experimentally investigated. Results: It was clarified that the welding bead width and depth increased with increasing the scanning velocity under a constant energy density condition and high efficient welding was expected by using high-speed laser scanning with Galvano scanner. The utilization of shielding gas was very effective to obtain smooth fusion bead and the combination of micro beam spot and high-speed laser scanning made it possible to obtain good overlap welding of ultra-thin stainless steel sheets. Conclusion: A faster and high quality welding could be achieved by using a single-mode fiber laser with micro-beam and high-speed scanning.

Fatigue Performance of Gas Tungsten Arc, Electron Beam, and Laser Beam Welded Ti-6Al-4V Alloy Joints

Abstract: Titanium alloys have been successfully applied for aerospace, ship, and chemical industries because they possess many good characteristics such as high strength to weight ratio, superior corrosion resistance, and excellent high temperature resistance. Though these alloys show reasonable weldability characteristics, the joint properties are greatly influenced by the welding processes. The evaluation and prediction of fatigue life are very important for the welded joints to avoid catastrophic failure particularly in titanium alloys. This article compares the fatigue performance of Ti-6Al-4V alloy fabricated by gas tungsten arc welding, laser beam welding, and electron beam welding processes. The resultant fatigue properties of the welded joints are correlated with the tensile properties and microstructural characteristics. Of the three processes considered the joint welded by laser beam welding exhibits higher fatigue limit when compared with the other two processes due to the presence of fine lamellar microstructure in the weld metal region.

Interaction between laser-induced plasma/vapor and arc plasma during fiber laser-MIG hybrid welding

Abstract: Hybrid plasma is an important physical phenomenon in fiber laser-MIG hybrid welding. It greatly affects the stability of the process, the quality of the weld, and the efficiency of energy coupling. In this paper, clear and direct proofs of these characteristics are presented through high-speed video images. Spectroscopic analysis is used to describe the characterization of hybrid plasma. The hybrid plasma forms a curved channel between the welding wire and the keyhole during the fiber laser-MIG hybrid welding process. The curved channel is composed of two parts. The laser-induced plasma/vapor expands due to the combined effect of the laser and the MIG arc, forming an ionization duct, which is one part of the curved channel. The resistance of the duct is smaller than that of other locations because of the rise in electrical conductivity. Consequently, the electrical arc is guided through the duct to the surface of the material, which is the other part of the curved channel. The spectral intensities of metal elements in laser-MIG hybrid welding are much stronger than those in MIG-only welding, whereas the spectral intensities of shielding gas element in laser-MIG hybrid welding are much weaker.

Flux enhanced high energy density welding

Abstract: A method of shielding a weld. The method includes melting a substrate to form a weld pool using a high energy density welding technique of plasma arc welding, laser beam welding, or electron beam welding; and delivering a flux to the weld pool to produce a slag effective to shield against atmospheric contaminants.