Dissimilar Laser Welding of Austenitic Stainless Steel and Abrasion-Resistant Steel: Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties Enhanced by Post-Weld Heat Treatment
In this study, ultra-high-strength steels, namely, cold-hardened austenitic stainless steel AISI 301 and martensitic abrasion-resistant steel AR600, as base metals (BMs) were butt-welded using a disk laser to evaluate the microstructure, mechanical properties, and effect of post-weld heat treatment...
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MDPI AG
2021-09-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/14/19/5580 |
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| author | Mikko Hietala Matias Jaskari Mohammed Ali Antti Järvenpää Atef Hamada |
| author_facet | Mikko Hietala Matias Jaskari Mohammed Ali Antti Järvenpää Atef Hamada |
| author_sort | Mikko Hietala |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In this study, ultra-high-strength steels, namely, cold-hardened austenitic stainless steel AISI 301 and martensitic abrasion-resistant steel AR600, as base metals (BMs) were butt-welded using a disk laser to evaluate the microstructure, mechanical properties, and effect of post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) at 250 °C of the dissimilar joints. The welding processes were conducted at different energy inputs (EIs; 50–320 J/mm). The microstructural evolution of the fusion zones (FZ) in the welded joints was examined using electron backscattering diffraction (EBSD) and laser scanning confocal microscopy. The hardness profiles across the weldments and tensile properties of the as-welded joints and the corresponding PWHT joints were measured using a microhardness tester and universal material testing equipment. The EBSD results showed that the microstructures of the welded joints were relatively similar since the microstructure of the FZ was composed of a lath martensite matrix with a small fraction of austenite. The welded structure exhibited significantly higher microhardness at the lower EIs of 50 and 100 J/mm (640 HV). However, tempered martensite was promoted at the high EI of 320 J/mm, significantly reducing the hardness of the FZ to 520 HV. The mechanical tensile properties were considerably affected by the EI of the as-welded joints. Moreover, the PWHT enhanced the tensile properties by increasing the deformation capacity due to promoting the tempered martensite in the FZ. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T06:56:54Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5186abfd4be94f529d049d287fa2c201 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1996-1944 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T06:56:54Z |
| publishDate | 2021-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Materials |
| spelling | doaj.art-5186abfd4be94f529d049d287fa2c2012023-11-22T16:23:57ZengMDPI AGMaterials1996-19442021-09-011419558010.3390/ma14195580Dissimilar Laser Welding of Austenitic Stainless Steel and Abrasion-Resistant Steel: Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties Enhanced by Post-Weld Heat TreatmentMikko Hietala0Matias Jaskari1Mohammed Ali2Antti Järvenpää3Atef Hamada4Kerttu Saalasti Institute, University of Oulu, FI-85500 Nivala, FinlandKerttu Saalasti Institute, University of Oulu, FI-85500 Nivala, FinlandMaterials and Mechanical Engineering Unit, University of Oulu, Pentti Kaiteran Katu 1, FI-90014 Oulu, FinlandKerttu Saalasti Institute, University of Oulu, FI-85500 Nivala, FinlandKerttu Saalasti Institute, University of Oulu, FI-85500 Nivala, FinlandIn this study, ultra-high-strength steels, namely, cold-hardened austenitic stainless steel AISI 301 and martensitic abrasion-resistant steel AR600, as base metals (BMs) were butt-welded using a disk laser to evaluate the microstructure, mechanical properties, and effect of post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) at 250 °C of the dissimilar joints. The welding processes were conducted at different energy inputs (EIs; 50–320 J/mm). The microstructural evolution of the fusion zones (FZ) in the welded joints was examined using electron backscattering diffraction (EBSD) and laser scanning confocal microscopy. The hardness profiles across the weldments and tensile properties of the as-welded joints and the corresponding PWHT joints were measured using a microhardness tester and universal material testing equipment. The EBSD results showed that the microstructures of the welded joints were relatively similar since the microstructure of the FZ was composed of a lath martensite matrix with a small fraction of austenite. The welded structure exhibited significantly higher microhardness at the lower EIs of 50 and 100 J/mm (640 HV). However, tempered martensite was promoted at the high EI of 320 J/mm, significantly reducing the hardness of the FZ to 520 HV. The mechanical tensile properties were considerably affected by the EI of the as-welded joints. Moreover, the PWHT enhanced the tensile properties by increasing the deformation capacity due to promoting the tempered martensite in the FZ.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/14/19/5580laser weldingabrasion resistant steelaustenitic stainless steelbutt jointpost-weld heat treatmentelectron backscatter diffraction |
| spellingShingle | Mikko Hietala Matias Jaskari Mohammed Ali Antti Järvenpää Atef Hamada Dissimilar Laser Welding of Austenitic Stainless Steel and Abrasion-Resistant Steel: Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties Enhanced by Post-Weld Heat Treatment Materials laser welding abrasion resistant steel austenitic stainless steel butt joint post-weld heat treatment electron backscatter diffraction |
| title | Dissimilar Laser Welding of Austenitic Stainless Steel and Abrasion-Resistant Steel: Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties Enhanced by Post-Weld Heat Treatment |
| title_full | Dissimilar Laser Welding of Austenitic Stainless Steel and Abrasion-Resistant Steel: Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties Enhanced by Post-Weld Heat Treatment |
| title_fullStr | Dissimilar Laser Welding of Austenitic Stainless Steel and Abrasion-Resistant Steel: Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties Enhanced by Post-Weld Heat Treatment |
| title_full_unstemmed | Dissimilar Laser Welding of Austenitic Stainless Steel and Abrasion-Resistant Steel: Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties Enhanced by Post-Weld Heat Treatment |
| title_short | Dissimilar Laser Welding of Austenitic Stainless Steel and Abrasion-Resistant Steel: Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties Enhanced by Post-Weld Heat Treatment |
| title_sort | dissimilar laser welding of austenitic stainless steel and abrasion resistant steel microstructural evolution and mechanical properties enhanced by post weld heat treatment |
| topic | laser welding abrasion resistant steel austenitic stainless steel butt joint post-weld heat treatment electron backscatter diffraction |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/14/19/5580 |
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