TY - CONF A1 - Rhode, Michael T1 - Evaluation of local strain behavior of cross-weld tensile specimens of micro-alloyed high-strength steels by digital image correlation N2 - Microalloying elements such as Nb and Ti play a decisive function in achieving the desired mechanical strength of quenched and tempered, high-strength fine-grain structural steels with a nominal yield strength ≥ 690 MPa. The current specifications for the chemical composition only provide manufacturers with upper limits. However, even minor deviations in the alloy concept can have a significant impact on the mechanical properties. Consequently, accurate prediction of weldability and the integrity of welded joints becomes difficult or even impossible due to differences in composition and the resulting microstructures. Undesirable consequences include a possible softening of the heat-affected zone (HAZ) or, conversely, hardening effects. In view of these challenges, various microalloying strategies with different Ti and Nb contents are being systematically investigated for the first time using specially developed laboratory casting alloys. Each alloying route is based on the common S690QL, maintaining both the chemical composition and the heat treatment parameters. To analyse the weldability, three-layer welds were performed using gas metal arc welding (GMAW) and critical microstructures, such as areas of the heat-affected zone (HAZ) that exhibit significant softening or hardening, were identified. The effect of the softened HAZ region on failure was evaluated using transverse tensile specimens. Digital image correlation (DIC) is used to image changes in local strains in different HAZ regions in situ. Using a specially developed mirror system, the local strains of the microstructure zones on the top and bottom of the weld are recorded simultaneously. This makes it possible to analyse how the weld seam geometry (e.g., V-seam) influences the strain gradients. In addition, the analysis of the local deformation helps to understand the effects of the softened HAZ on the global strain, the fracture constriction, the fracture position, and the overall fracture behavior. T2 - IIW Intermediate Meeting, Com. II-A CY - Incheon, Republic of Korea DA - 12.03.2024 KW - Welding KW - High-strength steel KW - Alloy concept KW - Cross-weld tensile sample KW - Mechanical properties PY - 2024 AN - OPUS4-59675 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Rhode, Michael T1 - Dissimilar metal TIG weld joints of multiple principal element alloys (MPEA) to austenitic steel 304 N2 - Multi-element alloys (MPEA - Multiple Principal Element Alloys) represent a new class of materials consisting of at least three alloying elements, each with 5 to 35 atomic %. This material class includes high-entropy alloys (HEA, with n ≥ 4 elements). The underlying alloying concept differs fundamentally from conventional materials such as the Fe-based steel. For this purpose, the alloying elements are specifically selected, and the microstructures are adjusted in a single-phase and, in some cases, multi-phase manner. The aim is to identify highly innovative MPEA with individually adjustable properties for industrial applications. In the last 20 years, however, the focus has been on pure material synthesis. With the increase in available material quantities, the focus is on processing issues such as joining and welding processes. In that connection, the weldability of MPEAs has received very little attention so far. Experience with dissimilar metal welds (DMWs) is completely lacking but is essential for the application of these materials if joint to conventional materials. This study presents selected experimental results on the weldability of MPEA-DMWs and the resulting microstructures. For this purpose, the equiatomic CoCrFeMnNi (HEA) was investigated in cold-rolled (CR) and heat-treated (HT) condition and joined by tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding to an austenitic stainless steel 304. The DMWs showed defect-free conditions (no lack of fusion, cracks and so on), whereas the cold-rolling increases the microhardness. The global mechanical properties were obtained by instrumented tensile tests of cross-weld samples and showed sufficient yield and tensile strength comparable to that of the individual base materials (BM). The local strain conditions were determined by digital image correlation and showed the highest local strains to occur in the intermixed weld metal. Indeed, the preferred fracture location of the cross-weld tensile samples was in the weld metal. Finally, the experiments proofed the weldability of the MPEAs to conventional 304. This enables targeted further considerations for example as structural materials. T2 - FEMS EUROMAT 2023 CY - Frankfurt a. M., Germany DA - 04.09.2023 KW - Multi-principal element alloys KW - TIG welding KW - Dissimilar metal weld (DMW) joint KW - Microstructure KW - Mechanical properties KW - Digital Image Correlation (DIC) PY - 2023 AN - OPUS4-58222 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Rhode, Michael T1 - Microalloying influence on precipitation behavior and mechanical properties of welded high strength structural steels N2 - Microalloying elements, such as Nb and Ti, are essential for the targeted mechanical strength of quenched and tempered, high-strength fine-grained structural steels with a nominal yield strength ≥ 690 MPa. Current specifications for chemical composition only provide upper limits for manufacturers. But even small deviations in the alloying route can have a drastic effect on the mechanical properties. Thus, an adequate prediction of the weldability and the integrity of the welded joint becomes difficult or even impossible due to the varying composition and, hence, the microstructures. Undesirable side effects are the possible softening of the heat-affected zone (HAZ) as well as the opposite effect of hardening. Against this background, different microalloying routes with varying Ti and Nb contents are systematically investigated for the first time on specially designed lab-cast alloys. The basis of each alloy route was the common S690QL in terms of both the chemical composition as well as the heat treatment. To investigate the weldability, three-layer welds were performed using metal active gas welding (MAG) and critical microstructural areas with high softening/hardening were identified. The scope was here on the identification of phase transformations during cooling and on the respective metallurgical precipitation behavior. Isothermal and non-isothermal phase calculations were performed using Thermo-Calc® and showed that the prediction of the non-equilibrium precipitation characteristics during welding is not trivial, especially for this relatively complex chemical composition. The mechanical properties of the welded joints were identified by both Charpy tests (toughness) and tensile tests (strain and strength). During the test, the local straining behavior of the welded joints, was identified using a digital image correlation (DIC) system, see Figure 1. Despite the generally good weldability of the materials, the results show a significant influence of the microalloying route as well as the welding heat input on the different precipitation kinetics. T2 - FEMS EUROMAT 2023 CY - Frankfurt a. M., Germany DA - 04.09.2023 KW - High-strength KW - Steel KW - Mechanical properties KW - Welding KW - Thoughness PY - 2023 AN - OPUS4-58221 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Rhode, Michael T1 - Influence of various microalloying strategies on the mechanical properties of weld seams in S690QL steel N2 - Microalloying elements such as niobium (Nb) and titanium (Ti) play a crucial role in achieving the desired mechanical properties of quenched and tempered high-strength fine-grained structural steels with a nominal yield strength of ≥ 690 MPa. Current specifications for the chemical composition only define upper limits for these elements, providing manufacturers with some flexibility. However, even minor deviations in alloying concepts can significantly influence the resulting mechanical properties. Consequently, accurately predicting weldability and the integrity of welded joints becomes challenging or even unfeasible due to variations in composition and the associated microstructural changes. Potential adverse effects include the softening of the heat-affected zone (HAZ) or, conversely, localized hardening phenomena. To address these challenges, various microalloying strategies with different Ti and Nb contents are being systematically investigated for the first time using specially designed laboratory-cast alloys. Each alloying approach is based on the commonly used S690QL steel grade while maintaining consistent chemical composition and heat treatment parameters. To evaluate the weldability, three-layer welds were produced using gas metal arc welding (GMAW), and critical microstructural regions, particularly those within the heat-affected zone (HAZ) exhibiting significant softening or hardening, were identified. The influence of the softened HAZ region on failure behavior was assessed through transverse tensile testing. Digital image correlation (DIC) was employed for in situ analysis of local strain distributions across different HAZ regions. In addition, Charpy tests were carried out on BM, WM and HAZ to determine the Charpy impact toughness. This was supported by metallographic analyses and thermodynamic simulation using ThermoCalc. T2 - IIW Intermediate Meeting, Com. II-A CY - Trollhättan, Sweden DA - 10.03.2025 KW - Welding KW - Microalloy elements KW - High strength steels KW - Mechanical properties PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-62691 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Rhode, Michael T1 - Microstructure and local mechanical properties of friction stir welded dissimilar joints of CoCrFeMnNi and CoCrNi to austenitic steel AISI 304 N2 - Multiple principal element alloys (MPEA) represent a meanwhile widely investigated material class, which encompass high-entropy (HEA) and medium-entropy alloys (MEA). They are fundamentally different from conventional materials like Fe-Cr-Ni-based austenitic steels. However, the focus has been merely on the material synthesis. With the increase in available material quantities, the focus is now shifting to processing issues such as joining and welding. In this context, the weldability of MPEAs has received very little attention so far. In addition, MPEA/HEA/MEA are and will be expensive due to the alloying concept. From this point of view, also such materials will also have to be joined with other conventional materials like austenitic steels. In particular, there is a lack of experience with dissimilar metal welds (DMWs) and the corresponding mechanical properties. For this reason, the present study summarizes comprehensive experimental results on equiatomic CoCrFeMnNi (HEA) and CoCrNi (MEA), joined by solid-state friction stir welding (FSW) to an austenitic steel AISI 304. The mechanical properties were obtained by cross-weld tensile tests. For the first time (for these welding process and materials), the local strains in the different weld microstructures were measured in-situ by digital image correlation (DIC). A significant influence of the FSW process on both the resulting microstructure and the mechanical performance of the DWMs was identified. For example, the dynamic recrystallization plays a significant role in the performance of the welded joint. In addition, the FSW experiments proofed the weldability of both MPEAs when joined to austenitic steel AISI 304. This allows for further focused consideration of these highly innovative MPEAs. T2 - MSE 2024: International Materials Science and Engineering Congress CY - Darmstadt, Germany DA - 24.09.2024 KW - High-entropy alloy KW - Dissimilar metal weld KW - Microstructure characterization KW - Mechanical properties KW - Friction stir welding PY - 2024 AN - OPUS4-61157 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Schröpfer, Dirk A1 - Rhode, Michael T1 - Local mechanical properties of TIG dissimilar metal welded CoCrFeMnNi high-entropy alloy to austenitic steel AISI 304 N2 - Multiple principal element alloys (MPEA) encompass the well-known high entropy alloys (HEAs). MPEA/HEA represent a new class of materials consisting of at least three alloying elements, each containing 5 to 35 at.-%. This alloying concept thus differs fundamentally from conventional materials such as steel or nickel alloys. For this purpose, the alloying elements are specifically selected, and the microstructures are adjusted in a single-phase and, in some cases, multi-phase manner. In particular, conflicting goals, such as the trade-off between strength and ductility in conventional steels, are overcome. In the last 20 years, however, the focus has been on material synthesis. With the increase in available material quantities, the focus is now on pro-cessing issues such as joining and welding processes. The weldability of MPEA has received very little atten-tion so far. Experience with dissimilar metal welds (DMWs) is completely lacking but is essential for the appli-cation of these materials in combination with conventional materials. The present study presents, comprehen-sive experimental results on the weldability of MPEA-DMWs. For that purpose, a Co20Cr20Fe20Mn20Ni20 HEA in cold-rolled and heat-treated condition was joined by means of tungsten inert gas welding (TIG) with the austenitic Cr-Ni steel AISI 304. The DMWs resulted in interesting mechanical properties. They were obtained by instrumented tensile tests as well as the local deformation in the weld area by using digital image correlation (DIC) technique. A significant softening in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) of the MPEAs as well as a slightly reduced tensile strength with a significant decrease of the elongation at fracture were found. The experiments provided proof in principle of the weldability of the MPEAs for DMWs with conventional materials that ensure a corresponding capability for mechanical loading. This allows further considerations on the application of these innovative materials. T2 - IIW Annual Assembly, Meeting of Commission C-II CY - Singapore DA - 18.07.2023 KW - High-entropy alloy KW - Welding KW - Microstructure KW - Mechanical properties KW - Dissimilar metal weld PY - 2023 AN - OPUS4-57978 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -