Duplex stainless steels (DSS) are used in all industries where corrosion problems play a major role. Examples include the chemical industry, the food industry and shipping industries. DSS have a balanced phase ratio of ferrite (α) and austenite (γ). Unlike single-phase stainless steels, DSS combine the advantages of these and can therefore fit many industry requirements, such as weight saving or high mechanical strength. When these steels are welded, alloying elements can burn off and condense as thin layers on cold surface regions. This loss of chemical elements can lead to changes in the microstructure. With the help of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), chemical element distributions were visualized. The results were compared with those of conventional measurement methods, such as energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS) and X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF), and the results from LIBS could be validated. LIBS is suitable as a fast, straightforward measurement method for producing line scans along the weld seam and provides spatially resolved information on accumulation phenomena of burned off alloying elements. LIBS is very well suited for the detection of sub-surface elements due to the exclusively superficial ablation of the material. In addition, the measurement method has been calibrated so that quantitative statements about element concentrations can also be made.
Many applications in industry require a material-to-material joining process of Duplex Stainless Steels (DSS). Therefore, it is essential to investigate the material’s properties during a welding process to control the weld quality. With the help of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), the chemical composition during the Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding process of DSS could be monitored in situ. The chemical composition could be quantitatively measured using pre-established calibration curves. Although the surface temperature and the welding plasma have a high influence on the spectral intensities, reliable composition measurements were possible. The concentration of alloying elements could be mapped during the TIG welding process.
Duplex stainless steels (DSS) are frequently used, especially in applications requiring high strength combined with high corrosion resistance in aggressive media. Examples include power plant components and maritime structures. During welding of these steels, local variations in chemical composition can occur. This results in ferritization of the material and negatively affects the mechanical properties of the components. In this work, tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding experiments were performed with DSS. Chemical composition analysis was realized in situ by using Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS). The aim of the work is to quantitatively measure the chemical composition in the weld seam of various DSS and to identify possible influences of welding parameters on the microstructure of the material. The chemical concentrations of the main alloying elements Cr, Ni, Mn on the surface of the sample during the welding process and the cooling process were measured. Mn and Ni are austenite stabilizers and their content increases during welding by using certain high alloyed filler material. Spectra were recorded every 1.3 s at a spacing of approximately 2 mm. During the cooling process the location of the measurement was not changed. The LIBS method is proofed to be suitable for the quantitative representation of the chemical compositions during the welding process.
Duplexstähle besitzen ein zweiphasiges Gefüge und werden aufgrund ihrer verbesserten Schweißeignung gegenüber den Vollausteniten häufig im Anlagen- bzw. Apparatebau eingesetzt. Aufgrund der hohen Abkühlgeschwindigkeit und dem Abbrand von Legierungselementen kommt es zu einer Ferritisierung des Schweißguts und damit zu einer Degradation der mechanischen Eigenschaften. Zur Vorhersage des Phasenverhältnisses im Schweißgut wird das WRC1992-Diagramm genutzt. Dieses Diagramm zeigt einige Ungenauigkeiten und benötigt zur genaueren Vorhersage der Phasenverhältnisse eine Überarbeitung. Um den Einfluss einzelner Elemente auf das Schweißnahtmikrogefüge besser zu verstehen, wurden drahtförmige Schweißzusatzwerkstoffe mit dem Ferrit-Bildner Nb und dem Austenit-Bildner Cu beschichtet und für Schweißungen verwendet. Die Messmethode der Laser-induzierten Plasmaspektroskopie (LIBS) bietet hier eine gute Möglichkeit der in situ Überwachung der chemischen Konzentrationen, während des WIG-Schweißens von Duplexstählen. Die LIBS-Messergebnisse, konnten mit der Ferritnummer und der Schweißnahtmikrostruktur korreliert werden.