Effects of oxygen and sulfur on alloying element vaporization rates during laser welding

Inadequate control of weld metal composition due to vaporization of volatile alloying elements is a serious problem in the welding of many important engineering alloys. Effectiveness of surface active elements such as oxygen or sulfur in blocking vaporization sites on the weld pool surface was investigated. Several iron samples doped with oxygen or sulfur were exposed to a carbon dioxide laser beam in pulsed mode. The time average metal vaporization rates and the emission spectra were compared with those obtained from ultra pure iron samples. Since the weld pool surface area and temperature distribution are affected by oxygen and sulfur, the true effects of these elements on metal vaporization rates cannot be easily evaluated from welding data. Therefore, rates of isothermal vaporization of iron and copper drops doped with oxygen or sulfur were determined both in the presence and the absence of low pressure argon plasma. These rates were compared with the rates of vaporization of ultrapure metal drops. Presence of sulfur or oxygen in metals always resulted in increased metal vaporization rates. The results are analyzed on the basis of interfacial phenomena.     

真空等离子焊箱的研制

等离子焊箱广泛应用于真空条件下稀有金属（钛、锆等）的自动焊接。文章介绍一种可以焊接达到12 t的大规格海绵钛电极的大型新型等离子焊接设备,焊箱采用2把焊枪,可以满足海绵钛电极横向和纵向多焊缝的自动移动焊接,减轻了手工焊接高强度工作量,提高了工作效率和焊接质量。尤其是焊箱焊枪采用了新材料和新技术,使该设备达到国内领先水平,设备在生产使用中显示出良好的性能和前景。     

Effect of oxygen on hydrogen cracking in high-strength weld metal

The effect of oxygen content on the susceptibility of high-strength weld metal to hydrogen cracking is examined. Increasing oxygen content had a detrimental effect on the cracking susceptibility of weld metal containing a dψusible hydrogen content of 4.7 ppm. In weld metal containing a much lower dψusible hydrogen content (0.87 ppm), increasing weld metal oxygen content had no detrimental effect on hydrogen cracking susceptibility. These results are explained by a model which proposes that hydrogen cracking occurs when a critical oxide inclusion density promotes intergranular fracture at prior austenite grain boundaries and when a critical level of hydrogen is present in the weld metal. For the same level of hydrogen (moisture) contamination, high-strength weld metals containing oxygen contents greater than 200 ppm will be much more susceptible to hydrogen cracking than deposits made using inert gas-shielded or vacuum-operated welding processes. Formerly Visiting Scientist, Department of Metallurgy and Materials Science, University of Toronto     

Effect of oxygen on hydrogen cracking in high-strength weld metal

The effect of oxygen content on the susceptibility of high-strength weld metal to hydrogen cracking is examined. Increasing oxygen content had a detrimental effect on the cracking susceptibility of weld metal containing a dψusible hydrogen content of 4.7 ppm. In weld metal containing a much lower dψusible hydrogen content (0.87 ppm), increasing weld metal oxygen content had no detrimental effect on hydrogen cracking susceptibility. These results are explained by a model which proposes that hydrogen cracking occurs when a critical oxide inclusion density promotes intergranular fracture at prior austenite grain boundaries and when a critical level of hydrogen is present in the weld metal. For the same level of hydrogen (moisture) contamination, high-strength weld metals containing oxygen contents greater than 200 ppm will be much more susceptible to hydrogen cracking than deposits made using inert gas-shielded or vacuum-operated welding processes. Formerly Visiting Scientist, Department of Metallurgy and Materials Science, University of Toronto     

Slag-metal reactions during welding: Part II. Theory

A kinetic model is developed to describe the transfer of alloying elements between the slag and the metal during flux-shielded welding. The model accounts for changes in alloy recovery based on the geometry of the resulting weld bead. It also distinguishes compositional differences between single-pass and multiple-pass weld beads. It is further shown that the final weld metal oxygen content is directly related to the weld solidification time as well as the type of flux used.     

Slag-metal reactions during welding: Part III. Verification of the Theory

A previously developed kinetic model of alloy transfer (Part II)^[1] is tested experimentally for transfer of Mn, Si, Cr, P, S, Ni, Cu, and Mo. The results show very good agreement between theory and experiment. The transfer of carbon and oxygen is also discussed. It is shown that the transfer of oxygen into the weld metal occurs in the zone of droplet reactions, whereas oxygen is lost by formation and separation of inclusions in the solidifying weld pool. Methods of applying this analysis to multipass welds and active fluxes containing ferroalloy additions are also described.     

Laser Welding of Ultra-Fine Grained Steel SS400

Steeliswidelyusedbecauseofitsgoodcompre hensive properties ,plentyofresourceandlowerprice .Thestrengthandtoughnessaretwoimpor tantpropertiesofsteels ,andpeoplemakeeffortstoincreasetheirvalues .Addingalloyingelementandcontrollingmicrostructurearetwobasicwaystoac complishtheaim .Therefinedmicrostructureob tainedbyprocessingtechniqueenablesthestrengthandtoughnessofsteeltobeincreasedwithoutaddingalloyingelementandtheratioofperformance costtobeincreased .Theultra finegrainedsteelshavefer ritegrains…     

Structure and mechanical properties of 1570C alloy welds produced by friction stir welding

The effect of the conditions of friction stir welding (FSW) of 1570C aluminum alloy sheets on the structure and mechanical properties of the welded joints is studied. A recrystallized fine-grained structure with a grain size changing with the rate of welding tool rotation forms in a weld during FSW. As compared to the base metal, the yield strength of the weld metal decreases by 9–22% depending on the rate of welding tool rotation, and the ultimate tensile strength is almost independent of the FSW conditions and accounts for ～90% of the ultimate tensile strength of the base metal. The plasticity of the weld metal is >13% for all rates of welding tool rotation. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the weld zone are discussed.     

Pulsed Nd:YAG laser welding of copper using oxygenated assist gases

The effects of using oxygenated assist gases on the weldability and weld properties of Nd:YAG, pulsed laser welds in copper (Cu) have been evaluated. It was found that the effective absorptivity of the Cu increased as the oxygen content of the Ar assist gas was increased. This facilitated laser welding of Cu at much lower laser powers and increased weld penetration. The use of oxygenated assist gas promoted nucleation and growth of submicroscopic oxide particles within the weld metal. These particles dispersion-strengthened the weld metal, thereby increasing both weld metal hardness and strength. However, when O₂ concentrations in the assist gas were greater than 90 pct, weld metal embrittlement due to excessive volume fractions of oxides was observed. The use of oxygenated assist gas also led to excessive cold lapping and poor bead quality. The bead quality was improved, however, by ramping-down the laser power before terminating each pulse.     

双电弧集成冷丝复合焊中冷丝位置对焊接过程的影响

搭建了双电弧集成冷丝复合焊接系统,研究了冷丝不同位置对焊接过程的影响机理,其中包括冷丝作用位置对其加热熔化作用及表面成形的影响。实验结果表明:冷丝从两引导焊丝正前方送入时,熔池前端对冷丝的加热熔化作用不充分,冷丝末端会顶触熔池底部,随着冷丝的持续送进和母材的向后移动,某一时刻冷丝回弹,焊丝末端的熔滴弹出落在母材表面形成大颗粒飞溅。当冷丝从侧面送入时,熔池一侧的温度较低,影响熔池金属的流动,导致最终的焊缝成形不对称分布。当冷丝从两引导焊丝正后方送入熔池时,冷丝始终插入熔池中,焊接过程稳定,是理想的冷丝作用位置。此外,随着冷丝送丝速度的增加,两种脉冲电流模式（同相和反相）下,熔敷率均随之增加,且相差不大。同相脉冲电流下电弧对冷丝的加热熔化作用最强烈,反相脉冲电流下次之,直流模式下最弱。      

1800 MPa热成形钢与CR340LA低合金高强钢激光焊接性能

采用光纤激光焊接设备对1800 MPa级热成形钢与CR340LA低合金高强钢进行对接激光拼焊,研究了不同激光焊接功率和焊接速度下焊接接头的组织演变规律及热冲压成形性能,并对焊接接头的力学性能和硬度进行了分析。结果表明,3种焊接工艺下激光拼焊原板综合力学性能相差较小,由焊接接头造成的伸长率和抗拉强度的损失均在母材的28.3%和9.1%以内。激光焊接后焊缝区均为粗大、高硬度的马氏体结构;两侧热影响区组织主要为铁素体和马氏体,接头未出现明显的软化区。激光拼焊原板拉伸试样均断裂于CR340LA母材区,距离焊缝12 mm左右,且存在焊缝隆起现象。选取焊接功率和焊接速率分别为4000 W和0.18 m·s?1的焊接试样在高温下进行热冲压成形检测,未出现焊缝开裂,热成形后拼焊板具有良好性能,满足汽车激光拼焊板使用要求,拉伸结果表明,试样断裂位置与未热冲压成形前一致,均位于CR340LA母材区,拉伸过程中,焊缝向高强度母材侧偏移,在弱强度母材侧产生应力集中并缩颈断裂。      

Nitrogen desorption by high-nitrogen steel weld metal during CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> laser welding

Nitrogen desorption by high-nitrogen steels (HNSs) containing 0.32 and 0.53 pct nitrogen during CO₂ laser welding in an Ar-N₂ gas mixture was investigated and the obtained data were compared with those for arc welding and at the equilibrium state predicted by Sieverts’ Law. Although the nitrogen content in the weld metal during CO₂ laser welding was lower than that in the as-received base material in all conditions, the nitrogen desorption was larger in the top part of the weld metal than in the keyhole region. The nitrogen desorption in the Ar atmosphere was less during CO₂ laser welding than during arc welding. With the increase in nitrogen partial pressure, the nitrogen content in the weld metal sharply increased during arc welding, but only slightly increased during CO₂ laser welding. The nitrogen absorption and desorption of the HNS weld metal were much smaller during CO₂ laser welding than during arc welding.     

Kinetics of Acicular Ferrite Transformation in Weld Metal

Phase transformations driven by the change offree energy at equilibrium conditions have been wellestablished.In practice,however,thenonequilibrium transformation dominates in mostcases.The transformation of solidified weld metal toAF is completed during continuous rapid cooling.This process can hardly be described by the theoryof thermodynamics.Therefore,kinetics study iscalled.However,few have been reported about thekinetics of AF transformation in weld metal.　　 In this paper,the kinetic…     

Effect of Activated Flux on the Microstructure, Mechanical Properties, and Residual Stresses of Modified 9Cr-1Mo Steel Weld Joints

A novel variant of tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding called activated-TIG (A-TIG) welding, which uses a thin layer of activated flux coating applied on the joint area prior to welding, is known to enhance the depth of penetration during autogenous TIG welding and overcomes the limitation associated with TIG welding of modified 9Cr-1Mo steels. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a specific activated flux for enhancing the depth of penetration during autogeneous TIG welding of modified 9Cr-1Mo steel. In the current work, activated flux composition is optimized to achieve 6 mm depth of penetration in single-pass TIG welding at minimum heat input possible. Then square butt weld joints are made for 6-mm-thick and 10-mm-thick plates using the optimized flux. The effect of flux on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and residual stresses of the A-TIG weld joint is studied by comparing it with that of the weld joints made by conventional multipass TIG welding process using matching filler wire. Welded microstructure in the A-TIG weld joint is coarser because of the higher peak temperature in A-TIG welding process compared with that of multipass TIG weld joint made by a conventional TIG welding process. Transverse strength properties of the modified 9Cr-1Mo steel weld produced by A-TIG welding exceeded the minimum specified strength values of the base materials. The average toughness values of A-TIG weld joints are lower compared with that of the base metal and multipass weld joints due to the presence of δ-ferrite and inclusions in the weld metal caused by the flux. Compressive residual stresses are observed in the fusion zone of A-TIG weld joint, whereas tensile residual stresses are observed in the multipass TIG weld joint.     

Structure-property correlation of submerged-arc and gas-metal-arc weldments in HY-100 steel

Structure-property relationships of two HY-100 steel weldments prepared by submerged arc (SAW) and gas metal arc (GMAW) welding processes using identical heat input (2.2 kJ mm^-1) have been studied. It has been found that submerged arc welded (SAW) HY-100 steel weldments have a lower weld toughness than welds produced by the gas metal arc welding (GMAW) process. Optical, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy were used in conjunction with microhardness traverses to characterize and compare the various microconstituents that are present in the last weld pass of both weldments. TEM examination revealed the presence of coarse upper bainite, B-II bainite, and carbides in a highly dislocated ferrite matrix as well as in ferrite laths in the SAW weldment, while the GMAW weldment exhibited a typical fine low carbon lath martensite, autotempered martensite, and mixed B-II and B-III bainites which occasionally contained small regions of twinned martensite. The measured cooling rate in the SAW was found to be about 40 pct slower than that in GMAW. It was also found in the SAW that the weld metal inclusion number density was about 25 pct greater than that in GMAW. Micro-hardness traverses exhibited significantly lower hardness (about 50 HV) in the SAW weldment compared with GMAW, but the tempered weld metal microhardness in both the weldments was measured about the same, at 250 HV. The ductile-to-brittle transition temperature (DBTT) of both weldments was determined by Charpy impact test. Based on an average energy criterion, the DBTT of the SAW weldment was 323 K (50 °C) higher than that of the GMAW weldment. This difference in fracture resistance is due to the different weld metal microstructures. The different microstructures most probably result from differences in cooling rate subsequent to welding; however, the SAW weld also has a higher inclusion number density which could promote a higher transformation temperature for the austenite.     

Mathematical modeling of three-dimensional heat and fluid flow in a moving gas metal arc weld pool

Mathematical models capable of accurate prediction of the weld bead and weld pool geometry in gas metal arc (GMA) welding processes would be valuable for rapid development of welding procedures and empirical equations for control algorithms in automated welding applications. This article introduces a three-dimensional (3-D) model for heat and fluid flow in a moving GMA weld pool. The model takes the mass, momentum, and heat transfer of filler metal droplets into consideration and quantitatively analyzes their effects on the weld bead shape and weld pool geometry. The algorithm for calculating the weld reinforcement and weld pool surface deformation has been proved to be effective. Difficulties associated with the irregular shape of the weld bead and weld pool surface have been successfully overcome by adopting a boundary-fitted nonorthogonal coordinate system. It is found that the size and profile of the weld pool are strongly influenced by the volume of molten wire, impact of droplets, and heat content of droplets. Good agreement is demonstrated between predicted weld dimensions and experimently measured ones for bead-on-plate GMA welds on mild steel plate.     

Correlation Between Microstructure and Low-Temperature Impact Toughness of Simulated Reheated Zones in the Multi-pass Weld Metal of High-Strength Steel

A large fraction of reheated weld metal is formed during multi-pass welding, which significantly affects the mechanical properties (especially toughness) of welded structures. In this study, the low-temperature toughness of the simulated reheated zone in multi-pass weld metal was evaluated and compared to that of the as-deposited zone using microstructural analyses. Two kinds of high-strength steel welds with different hardenabilities were produced by single-pass, bead-in-groove welding, and both welds were thermally cycled to peak temperatures above Ac₃ using a Gleeble simulator. When the weld metals were reheated, their toughness deteriorated in response to the increase in the fraction of detrimental microstructural components, i.e., grain boundary ferrite and coalesced bainite in the weld metals with low and high hardenabilities, respectively. In addition, toughness deterioration occurred in conjunction with an increase in the effective grain size, which was attributed to the decrease in nucleation probability of acicular ferrite; the main cause for this decrease changed depending on the hardenability of the weld metal.     

Laser beam welding with filler metal

Laser beam welding generally does without the use of filler metal, in contrast to conventional welding processes. The use of filler metal in laser beam welding or in the combined GMA (g as-m etal-a rc) - laser beam - hybrid welding process widens the field of application for laser beam welding. The main advantages worthy of mention include, primarily, a greater weld gap bridging ability and a metallurgical influence on the weld metal. Based on the current state of knowledge, this article gives a few examples of different materials and material combinations the limited weldability of which is broadened when filler metal is used with laser beam welding. Listed as examples are low-alloy steels with partly elevated carbon contents, duplex steels, and the material combinations of steel/cast iron and austenite-ferrite joints. Besides laser beam welding with filler metal wire, examples of the combined GMA-laser hybrid welding process are also described.     

A model for the silicon-manganese deoxidation of steel weld metals

From an analytical and theoretical study of flat and out-of-position gas metal arc (GMA) C-Mn steel welds containing varying additions of silicon and manganese, we conclude that the buoyancy effect (flotation obeying Stokes’ law) does not play a significant role in the separation of oxide inclusions during weld metal deoxidation. Consequently, the separation rate of the particles is controlled solely by the fluid flow pattern in the weld pool. A proposed two-step model for the weld metal deoxidation reactions suggests that inclusions formed in the hot, turbulent-flow region of the weld pool are rapidly brought to the upper surface behind the arc because of the high-velocity flow fields set up within the liquid metal. In contrast, those formed in the cooler, less-turbulent flow regions of the weld pool are to a large extent trapped in the weld metal as finely dispersed particles as a result of inadequate melt stirring. The boundary between “hot” and “cold” parts for possible inclusion removal is not well defined, but depends on the applied welding parameters, flux, and shielding gas composition. As a result of the intricate mechanism of inclusion separation, the final weld metal oxygen content depends on complex interactions among the following three main factors: (1) the operational conditions applied, (2) the total amount of silicon and manganese present, and (3) the resulting manganeseto-silicon ratio. The combined effect of the latter two contributions has been included in a new deoxidation parameter, ([pct Si][pct Mn])^−0.25. The small, negative exponent in the deoxidation parameter indicates that control of the weld metal oxygen concentrations through additions of silicon and manganese is limited and that choice of operational conditions in many instances is the primary factor in determining the final degree of deoxidation to be achieved.