Microstructure,hardness and residual stress distribution of dissimilar metal electron beam welds: maraging steel and high strength low alloy steel

Abstract

The present investigation reports on a study that has been taken up to develop an understanding of the electron beam welding characteristics of similar and dissimilar combination of maraging steel and high strength low alloy steel, which are in the hardened condition, i.e. maraging steel, in a solution that was in treated and aged condition, whereas high strength low alloy steel in a quenched and tempered condition before welding. The joint characterisation studies include microstructural examination, microhardness survey across the weldment and measurement of residual stresses. Maraging steel weld metal is under compressive stress rather than tensile stress as observed in low alloy steel welds because the martensite transformation occurs at a relatively low temperature. It has been observed that, in dissimilar metal welds, tensile stress is observed at the fusion boundary of low alloy steel and weld metal, whereas compressive stress is obtained at the location between weld and maraging steel fusion boundary. Dissimilar weldment contains a soft region beside the interface on maraging steel side because of the diffusion of manganese from low alloy steel towards maraging steel. The observed residual stresses, hardness distribution across the similar and dissimilar metal welds are correlated with the observed microstructures.     

Artgleiche und artverschiedene reibrührgeschweißte Verbindungen aus AA2124+25 % SiC und AA2024

Similar and dissimilar friction stir welded joints made from AA2124+25 % SiC and AA2024 An aluminium matrix composite (AMC) consisting of an AA2124 matrix reinforced by 25 vol.% SiC particles was used to produce similar AMC+AMC and dissimilar AMC+2024‐T3 joints by friction stir welding. When the particle reinforced composite was located on the retreating side, material mixing was less intense for dissimilar joints. Nevertheless, a higher strength has been determined for this arrangement due to a hook‐like interlocking of both materials. Tensile test and S‐N fatigue behaviour is shown to be compromised by alignment of the reinforcement particles perpendicular to loading direction already in the particle reinforced base material. Welding residual stresses were determined through the cut‐compliance method in terms of stress intensities acting at the crack tip. The underlying residual stress distribution in the un‐cracked structure was calculated by the weight function method. Longitudinal tensile residual stresses were found to be higher in the monolithic material as compared to the particle reinforced composite. This held true both for similar and within dissimilar joints. Growth behaviour of cracks crossing the joint line was described and correlated with residual stresses for similar joints.     

Numerical analysis of residual stresses in welds of similar or dissimilar steel weldments under superimposed tensile loads

This paper presented the characteristics of residual stresses in welds of similar or dissimilar steel weldments by carrying out three-dimensional (3-D) thermal elastic–plastic finite element (FE) analyses. Moreover, residual stress behavior in welds of the weldments under superimposed tensile loads was further investigated. The materials used in this investigation were SM400, SM490, SM520 and SM570, widely used structural steels in welded structure. Results show that the maximum longitudinal residual stresses in welds of the similar steel weldments increase with increasing yield stress of the steel welded (SM400 < SM490 < SM520 < SM570). When tensile loads are superimposed to edges of the weldments, the maximum longitudinal residual stresses are increased to a higher value. In case of the dissimilar steel weldments, the difference between the longitudinal residual stresses in welds increases with increasing yield stress of the steel welded together with SM400 (SM490 < SM520 < SM570). When tensile loads are superimposed to edges of the weldments, same pattern is noted for the longitudinal stresses in welds and the difference is almost the same as that between the longitudinal residual stresses in welds.     

Discussion and calculation on welding residual longitudinal stress and plastic strain by finite element method

In recent years, some researchers have put forward the new viewpoint that the weld is merely formed during the cooling process, not concerned with the heating process. According to this view, it can be concluded that it is not the compressive but the tensile plastic strain that may remain in the weld. To analyze the formation mechanism of the longitudinal residual stress and plastic strain, finite element method (FEM) is employed in this paper to model the welding longitudinal residual stress and plastic strain. The calculation results show that both the residual compressive plastic strain and the tensile stress in the longitudinal direction can be found in the weld.     

6061-T6铝合金中厚板-节点套多层多道焊数值模拟

为研究铝合金中厚板-节点套接头在多层多道焊后的残余应力和变形分布,本文基于ABAQUS软件建立了该接头三维有限元模型,采用双椭球热源、生死单元法以及顺序耦合法,对6061-T6铝合金中厚板-节点套多层多道焊进行数值模拟,并分析了接头的温度场,以及在夹具约束下的焊接残余应力及变形的分布情况。研究结果表明:数值模拟与实际接头的熔池形状吻合度较高;摆动焊接过程中温度曲线呈多峰结构;焊件的升温速率明显大于冷却速率,且冷却速率随时间逐渐减小;焊接残余应力主要集中在焊缝及夹具区域,且小于6061-T6铝合金在室温下的屈服强度;接头的最大横向残余应力为129.9 MPa,中厚板上的横向残余应力大于节点套上的横向残余应力;接头的最大纵向残余应力为132.9 MPa,沿焊接方向,焊缝处的纵向残余应力呈山峰状分布;该接头在Y轴方向上的变形最大,为1.494 mm,该接头的最终变形结果为上凸变形。     

Fatigue behaviour of friction stir welded AA2024‐T3 alloy: longitudinal and transverse crack growth

The fatigue crack growth properties of friction stir welded joints of 2024‐T3 aluminium alloy have been studied under constant load amplitude (increasing‐ΔK), with special emphasis on the residual stress (inverse weight function) effects on longitudinal and transverse crack growth rate predictions (Glinka's method). In general, welded joints were more resistant to longitudinally growing fatigue cracks than the parent material at threshold ΔK values, when beneficial thermal residual stresses decelerated crack growth rate, while the opposite behaviour was observed next to K_C instability, basically due to monotonic fracture modes intercepting fatigue crack growth in weld microstructures. As a result, fatigue crack growth rate (FCGR) predictions were conservative at lower propagation rates and non‐conservative for faster cracks. Regarding transverse cracks, intense compressive residual stresses rendered welded plates more fatigue resistant than neat parent plate. However, once the crack tip entered the more brittle weld region substantial acceleration of FCGR occurred due to operative monotonic tensile modes of fracture, leading to non‐conservative crack growth rate predictions next to K_C instability. At threshold ΔK values non‐conservative predictions values resulted from residual stress relaxation. Improvements on predicted FCGR values were strongly dependent on how the progressive plastic relaxation of the residual stress field was considered.     

Cruciform fillet welded joint fatigue strength improvements by weld metal phase transformations

Arc welding typically generates residual tensile stresses in welded joints, leading to deteriorated fatigue performance of these joints. Volume expansion of the weld metal at high temperatures followed by contraction during cooling induces a local tensile residual stress state. A new type of welding wire capable of inducing a local compressive residual stress state by means of controlled martensitic transformation at relatively low temperatures has been studied, and the effects of the transformation temperature and residual stresses on fatigue strength are discussed. In this study, several LTTW (Low Transformation‐Temperature Welding) wires have been developed and investigated to better characterize the effect of phase transformation on residual stress management in welded joints. Non‐load‐carrying cruciform fillet welded joints were prepared for measurement of residual stresses and fatigue testing. The measurement of the residual stresses of the three designed wires reveals a compressive residual stress near the weld toe. The fatigue properties of the new wires are enhanced compared to a commercially available wire.     

初始应力对三维光学轮廓法测试焊接接头残余应力的影响

目的研究不同初始应力状态下,三维光学轮廓法测试焊接接头残余应力的变化规律。方法采用MIG焊分别对供货态与去应力退火态试板进行多层多道焊,焊后试板经慢走丝切割,经三维光学测量技术扫描切割面轮廓,将所得轮廓数据经所建立的数据处理平台处理,将其结果作为有限元计算的边界条件,经应力反算得到残余应力分布。最后再进行有限元模拟,计算焊接接头残余应力。结果含初始应力、去应力退火和数值模拟的焊缝中心均为拉应力区,最大拉应力分别为480, 450, 523 MPa,且都位于焊缝根部区域。三者试板两侧为压应力区域,最大压应力分别为380, 280, 157 MPa,三者数值相差较大。结论将含有初始残余应力试板、退火处理试板与数值模拟结果的残余应力分布进行对比,可以发现三者在焊缝中心处的残余应力分布较为一致,但沿着焊缝向两侧的区域内,应力差别逐渐变大。主要原因为焊接热循环温度高于金属再结晶温度时可以消除部分残余应力,而温度循环较低时对应力消除不明显,导致实验结果相差较大。     

Micrometre scale residual stress measurement in fusion boundary of dissimilar steel welded joints using nanoindenter system

Abstract

In the present paper, an approach for measuring the micrometre scale residual stress around the fusion boundary in dissimilar steel welded joints was introduced. An as welded joint and a post-weld heat treated joint were examined using a nanoindenter system. The results revealed that a compressive residual stress existed around the fusion boundary in a range 200 μm extending to the overheated heat affected zone (HAZ) and 300 μm to the weld metal, and the compressive stresses were reduced after post-weld heat treatment. The maximum compressive stress occurred in the fusion boundary and then dramatically decreased in the adjacent HAZ base metal and weld metal. In comparison with the regular approaches for macrometre scale measurement, the nanoindentation has the advantages of high resolution and precision for effectively evaluating the residual stresses in a narrow region. The measuring error was analysed.     

Numerical investigation on welding residual stresses in a PWR pressurizer safety/relief nozzle

This paper presents finite element simulation results of residual stresses in dissimilar metal welds of a PWR pressurizer safety/relief nozzle. The present results are believed to be significant in two aspects. The first one is to consider the effect of the presence of similar metal welds on resulting residual stresses. The second one is the mitigation effect of the overlay welding thickness on residual stresses. After dissimilar metal welding, tensile residual stresses are present both at the inner surface and at the outer surface of dissimilar metal welds. Adjacent similar metal welding, however, decreases residual stresses to compressive ones at the inner surface of dissimilar metal welds, possibly due to the bending mechanism caused radial contraction of the weld. At the outer surface of dissimilar metal welds, similar metal welding increases residual stresses. Overlay welding further decreases residual stresses at the inner surface of dissimilar and similar metal welds, but increases slightly residual stresses at the outer surface.     

Influence of silicon in aluminium on the mechanical properties of titanium/aluminium friction joints

The influence of post-weld heat-treatment and of residual silicon in aluminium on the mechanical properties of dissimilar friction joints between titanium and aluminium was investigated. Although joint tensile strength and bend test properties were drastically reduced following post-weld heat treatment, the responses of Ti/h.p. Al and Ti/c.p. Al joints were quite different. The tensile strength and bend test properties of Ti/h.p. Al joints were markedly decreased by heat-treatments involving shorter holding times at lower temperatures.Joint failure in post-weld heat-treated joints was associated with Al₃Ti formation at the bondline region. The growth rate of the Al₃Ti intermetallic layer at the joint interface was much faster in post weld heat-treated Ti/h.p. joints. More than 20 at%Si segregated in the region between the titanium substrate and the Al₃Ti intermetallic phase in heat-treated Ti/c.p. Al joints. It is suggested that silicon segregation retards Al₃Ti formation by acting as a barrier to titanium and aluminium diffusion at the joint interface.     

FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH IN DUCTILE MATERIALS UNDER CYCLIC COMPRESSIVE LOADING

Abstract— Mode I fatigue crack growth has been studied in notched specimens of 7017-T651 aluminium alloy subjected to fully compressive cyclic loads. The specimens were first subjected to a deliberate compressive preload which causes plastic deformation at the notch tip. On unloading, this region developed a residual tensile stress field and on subsequent compressive cyclic loading in laboratory air, a fatigue crack was nucleated at the notch and grew at a diminishing rate until it stopped. The final crack length increased with an increase in the value of the initial compressive preload and with an increase in the negative value of the applied cyclic mean load. To gain a better understanding of crack growth in residual stress fields, the magnitude and extent of residual stress induced from compressive preloads have been analysed. This was achieved when extending the notch by cutting while recording the change in the back face strain. From residual strain models it was found that the fatigue crack growth was confined to a region of tensile cyclic stress within the residual stress field. The effective stress intensity range was investigated at selected mean loads and amplitudes, for correlating purposes, using both the compliance technique and by invoking the crack growth rate behaviour of the alloy. Finally, a brief discussion of the fracture morphology of cracks subjected to cyclic compression is presented.     

机械挤压矫正焊接变形的模拟与试验研究

利用自制的夹具对机械挤压矫正薄板焊接变形的效果进行了试验研究.采用有限元分析方法对常规焊件和机械挤压焊件的应力应变场及残余变形进行了模拟.试验和模拟结果均表明,对焊件施加平行于焊缝方向的纵向挤压力能够有效矫正薄板焊件的失稳变形.在适当的挤压力下,在远离焊缝的区域产生了纵向压缩塑性应变,而焊缝区由焊接过程导致的塑性应变值没有发生变化.机械挤压法能够降低薄板焊件焊缝区的纵向拉应力水平是其能够矫正焊接失稳变形的原因.     

Microstructure and residual stress distributions in friction stir welding of dissimilar aluminium alloys

The aim of this investigation was to study the effect of welding heat input and postweld natural aging on residual stress, microstructure, and precipitation distribution in different zones of dissimilar friction stir welding of 8 mm thick plates of AA6082-T6 and AA7075-T6. It was found that atomic diffusion occurs at the interface of the materials in the stir zone of the joints. Transmission electron microscopic investigations showed that reprecipitation of fine Guinier–Preston zone, β′, and η′ precipitates resulted in increased micro-hardness in the SZ after natural aging. An increase in welding heat input resulted in decreased maximum tensile residual stress and increased size of the tensile residual stress region. Natural aging within the SZ and thermo-mechanical affected zone resulted in 15–20 MPa reduction of the residual stress in these zones.     

焊缝匹配影响焊接残余应力的研究

采用有限元法对相同温度场的焊缝与母材强度和线膨胀系数匹配影响焊接残余和的规律进行了数值模拟,计算结果表明：等强度等匹配的焊缝区纵向残余应力水平高达母材的屈服强度,     

Effect of heat treatment on tensile properties of friction stir welded joints of 2219-T6 aluminium alloy

Abstract

The effect of post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) on the tensile properties of friction stir welded (FSW) joints of 2219-T6 aluminium alloy was investigated. The PWHT was carried out at aging temperature of 165°C for 18 h. The mechanical properties of the joints were evaluated using tensile tests. The experimental results indicate that the PWHT significantly influences the tensile properties of the FSW joints. After the heat treatment, the tensile strength of the joints increases and the elongation at fracture of the joints decreases. The maximum tensile strength of the joints is equivalent to 89% of that of the base material. The fracture location characteristics of the heat treated joints are similar to those of the as welded joints. The defect free joints fracture in the heat affected zone on the retreating side and the joints with a void defect fracture in the weld zone on the advancing side. All of the experimental results can be explained by the hardness profiles and welding defects in the joints.     

国产Q460高强度钢材焊接工字形截面残余应力试验及分布模型研究

焊接残余应力是影响钢结构受压构件整体稳定性能的一种重要初始缺陷. 为研究国产Q460高强度钢材焊接工字形截面的残余应力分布, 该文采用分割法对8个不同截面尺寸和焊缝类型的截面试件进行了测量. 基于近2000组测量数据, 得到了不同试件全截面的残余应力分布和拉、压应力大小, 并研究了腹板和翼缘的板件宽厚比、板件厚度、焊缝类型以及腹板和翼缘的相关性等因素对残余应力的影响. 试验结果表明, 残余压应力的数值大小与截面尺寸直接相关而基本不受焊缝类型的影响, 残余拉应力的大小则与截面尺寸没有相关性;由于翼缘和腹板内的残余应力能够分别满足自平衡条件, 二者没有相互间的影响作用. 最后, 该文提出了能够准确描述试验结果和截面尺寸影响的国产Q460高强钢焊接工字形截面的残余应力分布模型和计算公式.     

Modellierung des Ermüdungsrisswachstums in Schweißverbindungen unter Berücksichtigung von Schweißeigenspannungen

The present paper contains research results determined within the framework of a project called IBESS (?Integrale Bruchmechanische Ermittlung der Schwingfestigkeit von Schweißverbindungen“) by the Materials Mechanics Group of the Technische Universität Darmstadt [1]. Aim is to calculate the fatigue life of welded joints by taking into account the effect of residual stresses and the influence of the weld toe geometry. Here, the fatigue life is regarded as period of short fatigue crack growth. Two and three dimensional finite element models, with cracks as initial defects, are constructed for this purpose. Fatigue crack growth analyses are performed by using the node release technique together with the finite element program ABAQUS. The welding residual stresses as well as the plasticity induced crack closure effects are considered. Structural calculations are performed in order to introduce residual stress fields in finite element models. The calculated compressive residual stress field matches the measured one especially in the weld notch area. The effective cyclic J‐integral (ΔJ_eff) is used as crack tip parameter in a relation similar to the Paris equation for the calculation of the fatigue life. For this purpose, a Python code was written for the determination of ΔJ_eff at every crack length phase. The calculated fatigue lives were compared with experimental data and a good accordance between both results was achieved. The impact of welding residual stresses on ΔJ_eff as well as on the fatigue life during short crack growth was investigated. As expected, results revealed that at lower stress amplitude, a compressive residual stress field is favorable to the fatigue life, whilst a tensile residual stress field is unfavorable. The influence of residual stresses can be neglected only for large load amplitudes.     

Fatigue behaviour of carbon fibre-reinforced aluminium laminates

A new hybrid composite (CARALL), consisting of thin layers of carbon fibre/ epoxy prepreg sandwiched between aluminium sheets, has been developed. It is shown that this class of materials offers higher modulus, higher tensile strength and lower density than 2024-T3 alloy in the longitudinal direction. Under tension-tension fatigue loading, the hybrid laminates showed superior fatigue crack propagation resistance in the longitudinal direction, which may be attributed to the bridging effect imposed by the intact fibres in the crack wake. It has also been shown that the effectiveness of fatigue crack growth reduction increases with the thickness of the carbon fibre/epoxy layer. The resistance to fatigue crack propagation can be further improved by introducing compressive residual stresses in the aluminium layer by postcure stretching the laminate in the plastic region of the aluminium alloy.     

Prediction of fatigue life in aircraft double lap bolted joints using several multiaxial fatigue criteria

In this research, the effects of torque tightening on the fatigue strength of 2024-T3 aluminium alloy double lap bolted joints have been studied via experimental and multiaxial fatigue analysis. To do so, three sets of the specimens were prepared and each subjected to different levels of torque i.e. 1, 2.5 and 5 N m and then fatigue tests were carried out at various cyclic longitudinal load levels. A non-linear finite element ANSYS code was used to obtain stress and strain distribution in the joint plates due to torque tightening of bolt and longitudinal applied loads. Fatigue lives of the specimens were estimated with six different multiaxial fatigue criteria by means of local stress and strain distribution obtained from finite element analysis. Multiaxial fatigue analysis and experimental results revealed that the fatigue life of double lap bolted joints were improved by increasing the clamping force due to compressive stresses which appeared around the hole.