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Stresses in repair welding of high-strength steels—part 2: heat control and stress optimization
(2024)
In welding of high-strength steels, e.g. for foundations and erection structures of wind energy plants, unacceptable defects can occasionally be found in the weld area, which should be removed by thermal gouging and subsequent re-welding. High shrinkage restraint of repair welds may lead to crack formation and component failure, predominantly in interaction with degraded microstructures and mechanical properties due to repair cycles. This study aims for elaboration of recommendations for repair concepts appropriate to the stresses and materials involved to avoid cold cracking, damage and expensive reworking. In part 1 [1] of this study, systematic investigations of influences of shrinkage restraint on residual stresses and cold cracking risk during repair welding of two high-strength steels S500MLO for offshore application and S960QL for mobile crane structures were focussed. In this part 2, the microstructure, particularly hardness, and residual stresses due to gouging and influences of heat control parameters in repair welding are analysed. A clear reduction in residual stress after gouging can be observed, especially for the specimens with restrained transverse shrinkage. Gouging to a depth of approx. 2/3 of the seam height does not lead to a complete relaxation of the observed reaction forces. Particularly for the higher strength steel S960QL, there are pronounced areas influenced by the gouging process in which a degradation of the microstructure and properties should be assumed. Overall, the repair welds show a significant increase in the width of the weld and HAZ compared to the original weld, especially in the case of S960QL/G89. The repair welds show higher welding-induced stresses than the original welds, especially in the areas of the HAZ and the base metal close to the weld seam. This behaviour can be attributed overall to increased restraint conditions due to the remaining root weld or shorter gouge grooves. In good agreement with earlier investigations, the residual stresses transverse to the weld can be significantly reduced by upwardly limited working or interpass temperatures, and the reaction stresses resulting from high restraint conditions can be effectively counteracted. The influence of the heat input on the stress formation is low compared to the interpass temperature for both test materials.
Diese Studie konzentriert sich auf den Einfluss der Bearbeitung auf die Eigenspannungen und den Verzug von WAAM-Proben. Definierte Proben wurden vollautomatisch mit einem speziellen WAAM-Massivdraht (Streckgrenze >820 MPa) mit unterschiedlichen geometrischen Designs geschweißt. Der Eigenspannungszustand vor und nach dem Abtrennen der AM-Struktur von der Substratplatte wurde mittels Röntgenbeugung an der Probenoberfläche analysiert und durch 3D-Verformungsanalysen mittels Photogrammetrie ergänzt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen einen signifikanten Einfluss der Geometrie auf die Relaxation und Umverteilung der Eigenspannungen.
Der Vortrag befasst sich mit der gezielten Einbringung zusätzlicher LTT-Lagen zur Erzeugung von Druckeigenspannungen in ermüdungskritischen Bereichen von konventionellen Schweißverbindungen. Dies ermöglicht eine wirtschaftliche Lösung, ohne die Integrität der Schweißverbindungen zu beeinträchtigen. Dazu wurden Längssteifen aus hochfestem Stahl in der ersten Lage mit konventionellem Schweißzusatzwerkstoff mittels Metall-Lichtbogenschweißen geschweißt. Anschließend wurde ein Chrom-Nickel-legierter LTT-Schweißzusatz auf die Stirnseiten der Steifen aufgebracht. Durch Variation der Schweißparameter konnten verschiedene Schweißnahtgeometrien des LTT-Zusatzwerkstoffs analysiert werden.
The weldability of stainless steels is largely controlled by the chemical composition, and alloys with ferritic or ferritic-austenitic solidification show the highest resistance to hot cracking. As the resulting phase balance also
affects the final properties, it may be beneficial to both foresee and measure the weld metal ferrite content. The WRC ’92 constitution diagram is currently the most accurate prediction tool available, but it does not take the cooling rate into consideration and the precision may be less accurate for stainless steels with high ferrite numbers (FN). This study aims to validate the reliability of the WRC ’92 diagram for weld metals with FN > 50. The chemical composition was altered through gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) of UNS S32205 with ER347 filler wire that had been PVD-coated with either niobium (Nb), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn), carbon (C), or silicon (Si). The actual ferrite content was assessed using image analysis, FERITSCOPE® and X-ray diffraction (XRD). While the WRC ’92 diagram predictions were deemed accurate to acceptable for Ni, Si, and Mn, notable deviations were observed for Nb, Cu, and C. The FeriteScope exhibited a consistent trend with image analysis, though the values were higher, and scatter was wider, and the conversion factor is open for discussion. The lowest accuracy and largest spread were obtained using non-contact XRD, rendering it unsuitable for ferrite measurements of welds.
MVT testing was conducted in Transvarestraint mode in multiple welding conditions and under a range of bending speeds. The materials observed were high strength filler metals used in GTAW namely DIN EN ISO 16834-A G 69 4 M21 Mn3Ni1CrMo (G69), 16834-A G 89 6 M21 Mn4Ni2CrMo (G89 6), 16834-A G 89 5 M21 Mn4Ni2,5CrMo (G89 5) and a filler wire 18276-A T 89 4 ZMn2NiCrMo M M21 1 H5 (T89). For evaluation light optical microscope pictures were used. Pixels containing cracks were manually segmented using a self-written program. Out of the segmented images data including crack length, position and area can be calculated for every crack. The results show dependencies of solidification cracking on the test parameters.
Next to chemical composition, metallurgy and welding parameters, the intensity of restraint is one of the variables influencing solidification cracking. Tests like the Houldcroft Test, rate the hot cracking susceptibility indirectly on the amount of restraint the welding can endure without cracking. Modern lightweight steel construction welds can be subject to a larger amount of restraint due to their high-strength nature compared to classical use cases. By varying the plate thickness of Controlled Thermal Severity (CTS) tests produced out of S1100 QL, it was possible to vary the intensity of restraint on fillet welds at a high level. Testing was conducted with four different filler wires for Metal Active Gas (MAG) welding, including three solid and one metal-cored wire. In addition, two sets of welding parameters were tested. The first set with high heat input and high welding speed was shown to be more prone to solidification cracking compared to the second set with lower heat input and welding speed. The results show an increase in solidification cracking with increasing restraint severity.
Influence of machining on residual stresses in additive manufactured high-strength steel components
(2024)
This study focuses on the effect of machining on the residual stresses and distortion of WAAM specimens. Defined specimens were welded fully automatically with a special WAAM solid wire (yield strength >820 MPa) with different geometric designs. The residual stresses state before and after cutting of the AM structure from the substrate plate were analyzed by means of X-ray diffraction on the specimen surface and complementary by 3d deformation analyses using photogrammetry. The results reveal significant influences of the geometry on the relaxation and redistribution of residual stresses.
This article focuses on the selective placement of additional LTT layers to generate compressive residual stresses in fatigue-critical areas of conventional weld joints. This enables an economical solution without effecting the integrity of welded joints. For this, longitudinal stiffeners made of high-strength steel were gas metal arc welded using conventional welding consumable in the first layer. Afterwards, a chromium-nickel alloyed LTT welding consumable was deposit on front sides of the stiffeners. By varying the welding parameters, different weld geometries of the LTT filler metal could be analyzed. The effects of additional LTT layers were investigated with regards to residual stresses, microstructure and strength. X-ray residual stresses measurements show that the residual stresses at the failure critical weld toe are significantly reduced by using additional LTT layers. While the conventional weld is characterized by tensile residual stresses, compressive residual stresses can be detected at the LTT weld. The level of residual stresses is influenced by the geometry of the LTT layer. Additional LTT layers with a high offset to the conventional weld generate more compressive residual stress in the HAZ than with a low offset. Therefore, the weld geometry has a considerable impact on the residual stress profile.
AbstractThe sustainable and resource-efficient production of wind energy plants requires the use of modern high-strength fine-grain structural steels. This applies to both foundation and erection structures, like mobile or ship cranes. During the assembly of steel structures, unacceptable defects can occasionally be found in the weld area. In most cases, the economical solution would be local thermal gouging of the affected areas and re-welding. Due to the high shrinkage restraint of the joint groove in the overall structure, the superposition of global and local welding-induced stresses may lead to crack formation and component failure, particularly in interaction with the degradation of the microstructure and mechanical properties of high-strength steels during the repair process. However, manufacturers hardly have any information about these issues and there is a lack of recommendations and guidelines to take these safety-relevant aspects into account in adequate repair concepts. The aim of this research is to derive recommendations for repair concepts appropriate to the stresses and materials involved providing a basis for standards and guidelines to avoid cold cracking, damage and expensive reworking especially for high-strength steels. Part 1 of this study involves systematic investigations of influences of shrinkage restraint during repair welding of two high-strength steels S500MLO for offshore application and S960QL for mobile crane structures. The quantification of the shrinkage restraint of repair weld joints was achieved by means of experimental and numerical restraint intensity analysis. In welding experiments with self-restrained slot specimens, restraint intensity and introduction of hydrogen via the welding arc using anti spatter spray were varied systematically to analyse the effect on welding result, residual stresses and cold cracking. It could be shown that increasing restraint intensities result in significantly higher transverse residual stress levels. In the case of hydrogen introduction S500MLO showed no cold cracking independent of the restraint conditions. However, S960QL was found to be considerably cold cracking sensitive if hydrogen is introduced. With increasing restraint intensity length and number of cold cracks increases significantly. Part 2 [1] of this study is focussed on microstructure and residual stresses due to gouging and stress optimization via adequate heat control parameters in repair welding.
The Varestraint test and its variant Transvarestraint are one of the most widely used techniques for evaluating a material solidification cracking sensitivity during welding. The result of such tests is a crack length which is proportional to the material’s cracking susceptibility. Nevertheless, the welding and load parameters can unintentionally influence the crack length, which in some cases can distort the material evaluation. An approach is described as to how these effects can be assessed with the aid of a digital crack analysis. The crack lengths are compared position-dependently with their possible propagation due to the weld pool movement during continuous loading. The index derived from this can be used by the operator to evaluate his test parameters. In addition, a comparison of the results of different Varestraint setups is made possible. Alongside experimental results, a numerical sensitivity analysis is presented on how individual welding and loading parameters can affect the crack lengths.
Offshore wind turbines continuously increase in size and weight and demand adequate offshore foundations concepts like monopiles, tripods, or jackets. These components are typically constructed using submerged arc welding (SAW) with high-strength thick steel plates like the S420ML. During welding, the occurrence of delayed hydrogen-assisted cracking (HAC) must be anticipated. HAC is a critical combination of the local hydrogen concentration within a susceptible microstructure under certain mechanical load, i.e., the occurring (welding) residual stresses. The welding sequence of the thick-walled plates complicates the residual stress distribution due to the necessary repeated thermal cycling, i.e., welding seam/layer deposition to fill the joint. For that purpose, SAW with two-wire-technique was used to weld a specially designed and prototype-like mock-up of a real component with a thickness of 50 mm, filled with over 20 passes and a seam length of 1000 mm. Additional welded stiffeners simulated the effect of a high restraint, to achieve critical HAC conditions. The necessity of a minimum waiting time (MWT) before the NDT can be conducted (to exclude HAC) was critically verified by the application of ultrasonic testing of the welded joint at different time-steps of the NDT of up to 48 h after the completion welding. The residual stresses were determined by a robot XRD goniometer. Tensile residual stresses up to the yield limit are found both in the weld metal and in the heat-affected zone. Numerical modeling allowed the qualitative estimation of the hydrogen diffusion in the weld. No noticeable HAC occurrence was identified and confirms the high cracking resistance of the investigated material. Finally, the applicability of the MWT concept should be critically discussed.
Offshore-Windenergieanlagen erfordern Gründungskonzepte aus unterpulver-(UP-)geschweißten Dickblechen (bspw. der Güte S420ML). Während der Schweißfertigung kann eine zeitverzögerte wasserstoffunterstützte Kaltrissbildung auftreten, deren Bewertung aufgrund der Bauteilgröße von Offshore-Strukturen sehr komplex ist. Deswegen wurde eine bauteilähnliche Geometrie (Mock-Up) entwickelt, um reale Steifigkeitsverhältnisse auf den Labormaßstab zu übertragen. Zusätzliche Versteifungen simulieren die Wirkung einer Einspannung bzw. Schrumpfbehinderung der Schweißnaht. Über die Verwendung von Schweißpulvern mit definierter Feuchte wurden zudem ein Extremszenario der Wasserstoffaufnahme simuliert. Entsprechend der vorgegebenen Mindestwartezeit für die ZfP von bis zu 48 h wurde die Schweißnaht zerstörungsfrei mit Phased-Array-Ultraschall-Prüfung (PAUT) geprüft und die Eigenspannungen über Röntgendiffraktometrie (XRD) bestimmt. Zusätzlich wurde die Wasserstoffverteilung in der Schweißverbindung numerisch simuliert. Außer zulässigen Defekten (wie Poren), wurde keine verzögerte Kaltrissbildung in den Mock-Ups festgestellt, was auf hohe Rissbeständigkeit hindeutet.
Additive manufacturing (AM) processes enable the efficient production of advanced constructions. Direct energy deposition processes such as wire and arc-based additive manufacturing (DED-arc) are important methods. The wire filler metals enable a wide range of materials. In addition, the arc process provides a high deposition rate compared to laser and powder-based processes. Furthermore, components can be manufactured near-net-shape, offering significant savings in cost, time, and resources. Combined with the use of high-strength steels to reduce wall or component thicknesses in the context of lightweight design, great opportunities for saving energy and resources can be achieved. In a joint project of BAM and Chemnitz University of Technology, the main influences and complex interactions of material, production process, design and processing steps on the residual stress level are investigated. The aim is to develop processing recommendations and a cold cracking test for economical processing and stress-related design of high-strength steels with DED-arc. This study focuses on residual stress analysis by neutron diffraction (ND) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) on defined test specimens. The ND analysis were performed at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) and the XRD analysis at BAM. The study shows a quantitative and qualitative comparison of the residual stress magnitudes and distribution between the component bulk (ND) and surface (XRD) analyses. The ND analysis reveals that in DED-arc AM walls the residual stresses dominate in the direction of welding and are negligibly small in each case transverse to the direction of welding. The topology of the analyzed residual stresses shows almost identical residual stress maps. In addition, the residual stresses are significantly influenced by the solid phase transformation of the material due to low cooling times in the area of the top layer.
Influence of Residual Stresses on Stress Relief Cracking of Thick-Walled Creep-Resistant Steel Welds
(2023)
Controlling the residual stress level during welding of creep-resistant Cr-Mo-V steels is crucial to avoid so called stress relief cracking (SRC) during post weld heat treatment (PWHT) of large-scale components. In the present study, a laboratory scale test specimen (400 mm x 400 mm x 25 mm) was used to simulate thick-walled component welds made of 13CrMoV9-10. The aim was to identify the level and distribution of residual stresses to evaluate the suitability of the specimen for laboratory based SRC testing. High restraint was ensured by the specimen geometry with a narrow welding gap in the center. This gap was filled by submerged arc welding in a multi-layer technique. Two specimens were welded with identical parameters and compared in the as-welded state and after PWHT (705 °C for 10 h). Neutron diffraction was used to determine the residual stresses in the weld metal, the heat-affected zone (HAZ) and the base material at different depths longitudinal, transverse, and normal to the welding direction. The experiments were performed on the instrument E3 of the research reactor BERII of HZB Berlin, Germany. Complementarily, laboratory X-ray diffraction was applied to characterize the surface residual stresses. In the welded state, especially in the weld metal and the adjacent HAZ, the residual stress can reach the yield strength of the untreated material. The highest levels occur in the longitudinal direction. The transverse and normal directions are characterized by residual stress of lower magnitude. As expected, the residual stress is almost completely relieved after PWHT.
Die Verwendung hochfester Feinkornbaustähle hat für viele Anwendungen des Stahlbaus ein großes Potenzial für gewichtsoptimierte, effiziente Strukturen mit ho-her mechanischer Beanspruchbarkeit. Weitere Zugewinne an Effizienz sind durch generative Fertigungsschritte sowie bionische Bauweisen erzielbar. Hierzu stehen bereits kommerzielle hochfeste drahtförmige Zusatzwerkstoffe für formgebendes MSG-Schweißen zur Verfügung. Dem Einsatz stehen noch fehlende quantitative Aussagen zu den fertigungsbedingten Beanspruchungen und der Bauteilsicherheit während Herstellung und Betrieb im Wege. Dies betrifft insbesondere prozess- sowie materialbedingte Einflüsse und die konstruktive Schrumpfbehinderung verbunden mit der Ausbildung hoher Zugeigenspannungen und damit zusammenhängenden Kaltrissbildung.
Hierfür wurden im Projekt detaillierte und anwenderbezogene Kenntnisse zu den komplexen Wechselwirkungen zwischen Schweißprozess und Wärmeführung während der Fertigung, der metallurgischen Vorgänge und insbesondere der vorliegenden konstruktiven Einflüsse auf die entstehenden Eigenspannungen erarbeitet, um ein frühzeitiges Bauteilversagen aufgrund eines hohen fertigungsbedingten Beanspruchungsniveaus bis hin zu einer Rissbildung während der Fertigung sicher zu vermeiden. Gleichzeitig wurden die Einflüsse auf die mechanisch-technologischen Gütewerte systematisch analysiert. Zudem wurden die Auswirkungen trennender Verfahren durch Entfernen der Substratplatte sowie durch die spanende Bearbeitung der Vorformlinge zu Endbauteilgeometrien geklärt, da diese unmittelbar den Eigenspannungszustand beeinflussen und deutlichen Verzug der Bauteile auslösen.
Für das generative Schweißen konnten Verarbeitungsempfehlungen sowie Normenvorgaben erarbeitet werden. Dies hilft insbesondere KMU eine wirtschaftliche, beanspruchungsgerechte und risssichere generative Fertigung von Bauteilen aus hochfesten Feinkornbaustählen zu ermöglichen.
Einfluss der Schweiß- und Prüfparameter bei der Heißrissbewertung hochfester Schweißzusatzwerkstoffe
(2023)
Die Heißrissneigung beim Schweißen kann mittels einer ganzen Reihe von Prüfverfahren ermittelt werden. Eine etablierte Methode ist die sogenannte Varestraint-Prüfung, welche auch an der Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) als modifizierter Varestraint/Transvarestraint-Test (MVT) zum Einsatz kommt. Die Ergebnisse von Varestraint-Prüfungen hängen jedoch stets in unter-schiedlichem Maße von der individuellen Prüfmaschinenauslegung und den verwendeten Prüfparametern ab. Dies kann zu einer uneinheitlichen Bewertung des Rissverhaltens führen, wenn die Risslänge konventionell als Kriterium für die Rissneigung herangezogen wird. Scheinbare Abhängigkeiten von Prozessparametern erschweren dann die Interpretation der Ergebnisse. Eine neuartige Bewertungsmethodik entkoppelt den Maschineneinfluss vom Materialverhalten und verwendet die Dehnrate als Risskriterium.
The contribution describes a newly developed software tool for crack identification and selection in Modified Varestraint Transvarestraint (MVT) testing. From the digital crack information, in addition to the classical results, such as Total Crack Length (TCL) and Maximum Crack Length (MCL), advanced evaluations can be applied, taking into account the loading and welding parameters. A numerical parameter study is conducted to demonstrate how the isolated variation of individual welding and loading parameters, affects the crack lengths that can potentially be expected based on the machine specifics. An alternative crack criterion is presented that evaluates the crack formation in relation to the machine behavior. Some examples demonstrate the possibilities and limitations of the approach. The criterion can be used to compare and transfer the results of different varestraint test variants.
Although layer-based additive manufacturing methods such as laser powder bed fusion (PBF-LB) offer an immense geometrical freedom in design, they are typically subject to a build-up of internal stress (i.e. thermal stress) during manufacturing. As a consequence, significant residual stress (RS) is retained in the final part as a footprint of these internal stresses. Furthermore, localized melting and solidification inherently induce columnar-type grain growth accompanied by crystallographic texture. Although diffraction-based methods are commonly used to determine the RS distribution in PBF-LB parts, such features pose metrological challenges in their application. In theory, preferred grain orientation invalidates the hypothesis of isotropic material behavior underlying the common methods to determine RS. In this work, more refined methods are employed to determine RS in PBF-LB/M/IN718 prisms, based on crystallographic texture data. In fact, the employment of direction-dependent elastic constants (i.e. stress factors) for the calculation of RS results in insignificant differences from conventional approaches based on the hypothesis of isotropic mechanical properties. It can be concluded that this result is directly linked to the fact that the {311} lattice planes typically used for RS analysis in nickel-based alloys have high multiplicity and less strong texture intensities compared with other lattice planes. It is also found that the length of the laser scan vectors determines the surface RS distribution in prisms prior to their removal from the baseplate. On removal from the baseplate the surface RS considerably relaxes and/or redistributes; a combination of the geometry and the scanning strategy dictates the sub-surface RS distribution.
One of the main advantages of metal additive manufacturing (MAM) techniques is their ability to produce components with site-specific microstructural features. Nevertheless, microstructural defects and lack of repeatability are still major concerns in MAM. In this study, a laser powder bed fusion (PBF-LB/M) IN718 material, produced using two different scan length vectors, is investigated using Bragg-edge neutron 2D imaging (BENI) combined with electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analysis. BENI is able to detect, on a macroscopic scale, process-induced changes in texture in a large field of view covering the entire sample (20×80 mm2). In addition, high-resolution BENI (HR-BENI), with a pixel size of 12.8 µm, provides a micro-scale examination of the local variations of texture and grain morphology, otherwise undistinguishable using the standard resolution. As such, HR-BENI offers a straightforward and detailed way of screening the integrity of MAM parts at cm-length scales.
The use of Low Transformation Temperature (LTT) filler materials is an innovative way to reduce welding residual stresses. The generation of compressive residual stresses in the weld and heat-affected zone can lead to an improvement of the fatigue life of high-strength welds. However, high-alloy filler metals can be prone to solidification cracking. Two important LTT alloys were evaluated under variable welding and loading parameters using the Modified Varestraint/Transvarestraint (MVT) test. Initially conflicting results were interpreted using a newly developed image-based crack detection routine [1]. Based on the melt pool dimensions, the shape of the isotherms is reconstructed, and the theoretical crack growth along numerically determined crystallization paths is considered in relation to the cracks observed. Decreasing welding speeds with simultaneously higher heat input promote crack formation with increasing strain rate.
Wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) enables the efficient production of weight-optimized modern engineering structures. Further increases in efficiency can be achieved by using high-strength structural steels. Commercial welding consumables for WAAM are already available on the market. Lack of knowledge and guidelines regarding welding residual stress and component safety during production and operation leads to severely limited use for industry applications. The sensitive microstructure of high-strength steels carries a high risk of cold cracking; therefore, residual stresses play a crucial role. For this reason, the influences of the material, the WAAM process, and the design on the formation of residual stresses and the risk of cold cracking are being investigated. The material used has a yield strength of over 800 MPa. This strength is adjusted via solid solution strengthening and a martensitic phase transformation. The volume expansion associated with martensite formation has a significant influence on the residual stresses. The focus of the present investigation is on the additive welding parameters and component design on their influence on hardness and residual stresses, which are analyzed by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD). Reference specimens (hollow cuboids) are welded fully automated with a systematic variation of heat control and design. Welding parameters and AM geometry are correlated with the resulting microstructure, hardness, and residual stress state. Increased heat input leads to lower tensile residual stresses which causes unfavorable microstructure and mechanical properties. The component design affects heat dissipation conditions and the intensity of restraint during welding and has a significant influence on the residual stress.
Die Wasserstoffinfrastruktur ist eine zentraler Bestandteil der erfolgreichen Umsetzung der wasserstoffbasierten Energiewende. Dabei bilden Ferngasleitungen quasi das "Rückgrat" der Transportinfrastruktur großer Gasmengen. Dabei müssen unter Umständen Reparaturen an den Pipelines durchgeführt werden. Dabei ist in der Erdgasinfrastruktur das Schweißen an in Betrieb befindlichen (d.h. von Gas durchflossenen) Pipelines Stand der Technik. Es ist jedoch vollkommen offen, inwieweit diese Technik auf die reine Wasserstoffpipelines übertragbar sind. Hierzu leistet das Projekt H2SuD wichtige Beiträge zur Aufklärung des Einfluss eines Reparaturschweißprozesses auf die Wasserstoffaufnahme und Degradation im Betrieb befindlicher H2 Gasleitungen.
Die schädigende Wirkung von Wasserstoff auf die mechanischen Eigenschaften von Stählen ist zwar bekannt, aber noch immer nicht ausreichend erforscht. Die schnelle und sichere Markteinführung von Wasserstofftechnologien macht es erforderlich, dieses Thema genauer zu untersuchen. Im Allgemeinen wird dies oft als Wasserstoffversprödung bezeichnet. Daher ist es wünschenswert, eine Prüfmethode zu entwickeln, die auf einfache Weise die Materialeigenschaften unter Wasserstoffatmosphäre ermitteln kann. Derzeit werden mechanische Prüfungen unter Wasserstoffatmosphäre in Autoklaven durchgeführt. Für diese Technik ist eine aufwendige Hardware erforderlich, daher sind die Prüfungen teuer und die Prüfkapazitäten nur in geringem Umfang verfügbar. Die hier vorgestellte Prüfmethode verspricht einen zukunftsweisenden Ansatz zur Reduzierung von Kosten und Bearbeitungszeiten durch die Verwendung von Hohlkörpern, d.h. die Probe selbst stellt den Autoklav dar.
It was found that there is a systematic dependence of the crack growth on the welding parameters as well as on the load. Decreasing welding speeds with simultaneously higher heat input promote crack formation with increasing strain rate.
Based on the results, a new crack criterion was finally selected which allows an extended assessment of the material behavior during the MVT-test. The threshold introduced can quantify the dependencies of the crack formation on the welding and testing parameters, which could not be comprehensively described with the conventional evaluation. In principle, the evaluation routine can also be transferred to other Varestraint or externally loaded hot cracking tests.
Large scale hydrogen assisted cracking test for thick walled SAW joints for offshore applications
(2023)
Offshore wind turbines continuously increase in size and weight and demand adequate offshore foundations concepts like monopiles, tripods or jackets. These components are typically submerged arc welded (SAW) high-strength thick steel plates like the S420ML. During welding, the occurrence of delayed hydrogen assisted cracking (HAC) must be anticipated. HAC is a critical combination of the local hydrogen concentration within a susceptible microstructure under certain mechanical load, i.e., the occurring (welding) residual stresses. The welding sequence of the thick-walled plates complicate the residual stress distribution due to the necessary repeated thermal cycling, i.e., welding seam / layer deposition to fill the joint. For that purpose, SAW with two-wire-technique was used to weld a specially designed and prototype-like mock-up of a real component with a thickness of 50 mm, filled more than 20 passes and a seam length of 1,000 mm. Additional welded stiffeners simulated the effect of a high restraint, to stimulate critical HAC conditions. The necessity of a minimum waiting time (MWT) before the NDT can be conducted (to exclude HAC) was critically verified by the application of ultrasonic testing of the welded joint at different time-steps of the NDT of 48 h after welding. The residual stresses were determined by a robot XRD goniometer. Tensile residual stresses up to the yield limit are found both in the weld metal and in the heat-affected zone. Numerical modelling allowed the qualitative estimation of the hydrogen diffusion in the weld. A remarkable HAC occurrence was not identified and proves both, a certain resistance of the weld joint to HAC and the (questionable) duration of the MWT.
Einfluss der Schweiß- und Prüfparameter bei der Heißrissbewertung hochfester Schweißzusatzwerkstoffe
(2023)
Die Heißrissneigung beim Schweißen kann mittels einer ganzen Reihe von Prüfverfahren ermittelt werden. Eine etablierte Methode ist die sogenannte Varestraint-Prüfung, welche auch an der Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) als modifizierter Varestraint/Transvarestraint-Test (MVT) zum Einsatz kommt. Die Ergebnisse von Varestraint-Prüfungen hängen jedoch stets in unterschiedlichem Maße von der individuellen Prüfmaschinenauslegung und den verwendeten Prüfparametern ab. Dies kann zu einer uneinheitlichen Bewertung des Rissverhaltens führen, wenn die Risslänge konventionell als Kriterium für die Rissneigung herangezogen wird. Scheinbare Abhängigkeiten von Prozessparametern erschweren dann die Interpretation der Ergebnisse. Eine neuartige Bewertungsmethodik entkoppelt den Maschineneinfluss vom Materialverhalten und verwendet die Dehnrate als Risskriterium in Analogie zu Prokhorovs Heißrissmodell. Die neue Auswertung wird anhand einer Studie hochfester Schweißzusatzwerkstoffe vorgestellt, deren Rissverhalten in Abhängigkeit der chemischen Zusammensetzung und der Schweißparameter bewertet wird.
Hochfeste Feinkornbaustähle verfügen über großes Potenzial für gewichtsoptimierte, effiziente Strukturen in vielen modernen Stahlkonstruktion. Weitere Effizienzsteigerungen können durch additives Fertigen sowie bionische Bauweisen erreicht werden. Hochfeste Zusatzwerkstoffe für additives MSG-Schweißen (engl.: Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing, WAAM) sind bereits von den Schweißzusatzherstellern lieferbar. Eine breite industrielle Anwendung insbesondere für KMU ist aufgrund fehlender quantitativer Erkenntnisse und Richtlinien bezüglich schweißbedingter Beanspruchungen und Bauteilsicherheit während der Herstellung und des Betriebs derzeit stark limitiert. In einem gemeinsamen Forschungsprojekt (FOSTA-P1380/IGF21162BG) der BAM und der TU Chemnitz werden daher die mit Eigenspannungsausbildung und der Gefahr einer Kaltrissbildung verbundenen prozess- und werkstoffbedingten sowie konstruktiven Einflüsse beim WAAM hochfester Stähle untersucht. Der vorliegende Beitrag fokussiert die Analyse der Auswirkungen von Schweißwärmeführung und Design der WAAM-Bauteile auf die Abkühlbedingungen, Gefüge, mechanisch-technologischen Eigenschaften und Eigenspannungen. Hierfür werden geometrisch definierte Probenkörper (Hohlquader) vollautomatisiert mit einem speziellen, hochfesten WAAM-Massivdraht (Streckgrenze >790 MPa) geschweißt. Die Wärmeführung und Probenabmessungen werden innerhalb eines statistischen Versuchsplans variiert. Die Schweißwärmeführung wird dabei so eingestellt, dass die t8/5-Abkühlzeiten im empfohlenen Verarbeitungsbereich (ca. 5 s bis 20 s) sichergestellt sind. Hierzu ließen sich über zusätzliche thermo-physikalische Umformsimulationen mittels Dilatometer die komplexen Wärmezyklen abbilden und die resultierende Zugfestigkeit des Schweißgutes bestimmen. Das WAAM-Schweißen komplexer Geometrien mit variierenden Schweißwärmeführungen und geometrischen Verhältnissen bzw. Wanddicken bedingt neben den Auswirkungen auf die Abkühlbedingungen, Abkühlzeiten und Gefüge deutliche Einflüsse auf die konstruktiven Steifigkeitsverhältnisse beim Schweißen. Es zeigen sich anhand der Schweißexperimente signifikante Auswirkungen durch Probenskalierung und Wärmeeinbringung auf die resultierenden lokalen Eigenspannungen. Die Folge können ungünstige Bauteileigenschaften und risskritische Zugeigenspannungen sein.
Hochfeste Feinkornbaustähle verfügen über ein großes Potenzial für gewichtsoptimierte, effiziente Strukturen in vielen modernen Stahlkonstruktion. Weitere Effizienzsteigerungen können durch additives Fertigen sowie bionische Bauweisen erreicht werden. Kommerzielle hochfeste Zusatzwerkstoffe für additives MSG-Schweißen (engl.: Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing, WAAM) sind bereits von den Schweißzusatzherstellern lieferbar. Derzeit ist jedoch eine breite industrielle Anwendung insbesondere für KMU aufgrund fehlender quantitativer Erkenntnisse und Richtlinien bezüglich schweißbedingter Beanspruchungen und Bauteilsicherheit während der Herstellung und des Betriebs stark limitiert. In einem gemeinsamen Forschungsprojekt (FOSTA-P1380/IGF21162BG) der BAM und der TU Chemnitz werden die mit Eigenspannungsausbildung und der Gefahr einer Kaltrissbildung verbundenen prozess- und werkstoffbedingten sowie konstruktiven Einflüsse untersucht. Im Fokus dieser Analysen steht die Bestimmung der Wechselwirkungen zwischen WAAM-Prozessparametern bzw. der Wärmeführung auf das Gefüge und die Eigenspannungen. Hierfür werden Referenzproben als offene Hohlquader mit definierten Abmessungen vollautomatisiert mit einem speziellen, hochfesten WAAM-Massivdraht (Streckgrenze >790 MPa) geschweißt. Die gezielte Einstellung der geometrischen Eigenschaften erfolgt durch Schweißparameter und Nahtaufbau bei ca. 4 kg/h mittlerer Abschmelzleistung. Die Wärmeführung wird innerhalb eines statistischen Versuchsplanes mittels Streckenenergie (200 kJ/m bis 650 kJ/m) und Zwischenlagentemperatur (100 °C bis 300 °C) so variiert, dass die t8/5-Abkühlzeiten dem empfohlenen Verarbeitungsbereich entsprechen (ca. 5 s bis 20 s). Ziel ist es bei konstanten geometrisch-konstruktiven Randbedingungen, den Einfluss der Wärmeführung auf Gefüge und resultierende Eigenspannungen zu analysieren. Für die Streckenenergie können neben den Gefügeeinflüssen aufgrund der resultierenden Abkühlzeit deutliche Effekte insbesondere auf die lokalen Eigenspannungen im Bauteil belegt werden. Das Schweißen mit zu hoher Wärmeeinbringung bzw. Abschmelzleistung kann zu ungünstigen Gefüge- und Bauteileigenschaften führen, gleichzeitig jedoch niedrigere Zugeigenspannungsniveaus bewirken. Solche komplexen Wechselwirkungen gilt es letztlich mit diesen Untersuchungen zu klären, um leicht anwendbare Verarbeitungsempfehlungen und Normvorgaben für ein wirtschaftliches, anforderungsgerechtes und risssicheres WAAM von hochfesten Stählen den Anwendern zur Verfügung zu stellen.
Hochfeste Feinkornbaustähle verfügen über ein großes Potenzial für gewichtsoptimierte, effiziente Strukturen in vielen modernen Stahlkonstruktion. Weitere Effizienzsteigerungen können durch additives Fertigen sowie bionische Bauweisen erreicht werden. Kommerzielle hochfeste Zusatzwerkstoffe für additives MSG-Schweißen (engl.: Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing, WAAM) sind bereits von den Schweißzusatzherstellern lieferbar. Derzeit ist jedoch eine breite industrielle Anwendung insbesondere für KMU aufgrund fehlender quantitativer Erkenntnisse und Richtlinien bezüglich schweißbedingter Beanspruchungen und Bauteilsicherheit während der Herstellung und des Betriebs stark limitiert. In einem gemeinsamen Forschungsprojekt (FOSTA-P1380/IGF21162BG) der BAM und der TU Chemnitz werden die mit Eigenspannungsausbildung und der Gefahr einer Kaltrissbildung verbundenen prozess- und werkstoffbedingten sowie konstruktiven Einflüsse untersucht. Im Fokus dieser Analysen steht die Bestimmung der Wechselwirkungen zwischen WAAM-Prozessparametern bzw. der Wärmeführung auf das Gefüge und die Eigenspannungen. Hierfür werden Referenzproben als offene Hohlquader mit definierten Abmessungen vollautomatisiert mit einem speziellen, hochfesten WAAM-Massivdraht (Streckgrenze >790 MPa) geschweißt. Die gezielte Einstellung der geometrischen Eigenschaften erfolgt durch Schweißparameter und Nahtaufbau bei ca. 4 kg/h mittlerer Abschmelzleistung. Die Wärmeführung wird innerhalb eines statistischen Versuchsplanes mittels Streckenenergie (200 kJ/m bis 650 kJ/m) und Zwischenlagentemperatur (100 °C bis 300 °C) so variiert, dass die t8/5-Abkühlzeiten dem empfohlenen Verarbeitungsbereich entsprechen (ca. 5 s bis 20 s). Ziel ist es bei konstanten geometrisch-konstruktiven Randbedingungen, den Einfluss der Wärmeführung auf Gefüge und resultierende Eigenspannungen zu analysieren. Darüber hinaus erfolgt die Bestimmung des Einflusses der t8/5-Abkühlzeit auf die mechanisch-technologischen Eigenschaften des speziellen, hochfesten WAAM-Massivdrahts mithilfe von Dilatometeranalysen. Für die Streckenenergie können neben den Gefügeeinflüssen aufgrund der resultierenden Abkühlzeit deutliche Effekte insbesondere auf die lokalen Eigenspannungen im Bauteil belegt werden. Das Schweißen mit zu hoher Wärmeeinbringung bzw. Abschmelzleistung kann zu ungünstigen Gefüge- und Bauteileigenschaften führen, gleichzeitig jedoch niedrigere Zugeigenspannungsniveaus bewirken. Die Dilatometeranalysen zeigen für den untersuchten WAAM-Schweißzusatzwerkstoff eine großes t8/5-Zeitfenster mit einer vergleichsweise geringen Abnahme der Zugfestigkeit mit zunehmender t8/5-Abkühlzeit. Solche komplexen Wechselwirkungen gilt es letztlich mit diesen Untersuchungen zu klären, um leicht anwendbare Verarbeitungsempfehlungen und Normvorgaben für ein wirtschaftliches, anforderungsgerechtes und risssicheres WAAM von hochfesten Stählen den Anwendern zur Verfügung zu stellen.
Determination of residual stress evolution during repair welding of high-strength steel components
(2022)
During the assembly of steel structures, unacceptable weld defects may be found. An economical solution is local thermal gouging of the affected areas and re-welding. Due to high shrinkage restraints of repair weld and sur- rounding structure, high global and local welding stresses superimpose, and may lead to cracking and component failure, especially in connection with the degraded microstructure and mechanical properties of high-strength steels during the repair process. Component-related investigations of high-strength steels (FOSTA P1311/ IGF20162N) focus on welding residual stress evolution during local thermal gouging and rewelding. In this study, repair welding of S500MLO (EN 10225) is carried out using in-situ digital image correlation (DIC) and ex- situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) to analyse strains and stresses. Self-restrained slit specimen geometries were identified representing defined rigidity conditions of repair welds of real components, which were quantified using the restraint intensity concept. The specimens were rewelded with constant welding heat control and parameters. Weld specimens exhibited significantly increased transverse residual stresses with higher transverse restraint intensities, in the weld metal, and in the heat affected zone. Transverse stresses along the weld seam decrease at the weld seam ends leading to different stress state during gouging and welding. XRD analysis of the longitudinal and transverse local residual stresses after cooling to RT showed a good comparability with global DIC analyses.
This contributed to the knowledge regarding the safe avoidance of cold cracking. In addition to a thermophysical simulation using a dilatometer of different high-strength steels with subsequent tensile testing, reference WAAM specimens (open hollow cuboids) were welded while utilizing a high-strength filler metal (ultimate tensile strength > 790 MPa). The heat control was varied by means of the heat input and interlayer temperature such that the Dt8/5 cooling times corresponded to the recommended processing range (approx. 5 s to 20 s). For the heat input, significant effects were exhibited, in particular on the local residual stresses in the component. Welding with an excessive heat input or deposition rate may lead to low cooling rates, and hence to unfavorable microstructure and component properties, but at the same time, is intended to result in lower tensile residual stress levels. Such complex interactions must ultimately be clarified to provide users with easily applicable processing recommendations and standard specifications for an economical WAAM of high-strength steels. These investigations demonstrated a major influence of the heat input on both the cooling conditions and the residual stresses of components manufactured withWAAM using high-strength filler materials. A higher heat input led to longer cooling times (Dt8/5) and approx. 200 MPa lower residual stresses in the surface of the top layer.
Various test methods are available for assessing the susceptibility of materials to solidification cracking during welding. In the widely used Varestraint test, the crack length is selected as a criterion as a function of the applied bending strain.
Unfortunately, the crack length does not characterize the material behavior alone but depends to varying degrees on the individual test parameters used, which makes the interpretation of the results difficult. In addition, the crack length is not comparable under different test conditions. To overcome these disadvantages, we have developed a novel evaluation methodology that decouples the machine influence from the material behavior. The measured crack length is related to the maximum possible value specified by welding speed and deformation time. This relative crack length is calculated numerically, considering the orientation of the cracks. Experiments on two high-alloy martensitic welding consumables show that, in contrast to the conventional evaluation, a comparison of different welding parameters becomes possible. Furthermore, the strain rate proved to be a suitable crack criterion in agreement with Prokhorov's hot cracking model.
Die Integrität von Leichtbaustrukturen aus hochfesten Stählen ist zunehmend durch die Bildung von Heißrissen gefährdet. Aktuell treten Erstarrungsrisse an Konstruktionsmerkmalen auf, obwohl heißrisssichere niedriglegierte Grund- und Zusatzwerkstoffe als auch Schweißprozessbedingungen eingesetzt wurden. Werkstoff- und prozessseitig wurden diese Rissursachen bereits eingehend erforscht. Untersuchungen zum Aspekt der konstruktiv bedingten Heißrissvermeidung, aus denen sich Empfehlungen für ein beanspruchungsgerechtes Gestalten für KMU ableiten lassen, liegen bislang lückenhaft vor bzw. sind veraltet und für hochfeste Leichtbauten kaum zielführend. Konstruktive Gegenmaßnahmen zur Vermeidung von Erstarrungsrissen liegen oft nicht vor. Das Design und die konstruktiven Randbedingungen beeinflussen die Erstarrungsrisse entscheidend. Um eine schnelle Umsetzbarkeit der Resultate für KMU zu ermöglichen, soll eine einfache und kostengünstige Methodik zur Heißrissbewertung entwickelt werden. Gerade KMU haben einen hohen Nachholbedarf an heißrisssicheren und wirtschaftlichen Leichtbaulösungen. Konstrukteure und Anwender aus KMU würden durch fundierte Kenntnisse über mögliche erstarrungsrisskritische Beanspruchungszustände kostenintensive Qualitätsmängel vermeiden. Das Ziel ist es, Kenngrößen zu identifizieren, die während des Schweißens unter realitätsnahen Bedingungen erfasst werden können. Diese Parameter werden als Transfergrößen genutzt, um eine Heißrissbewertung eines geschweißten Bauteils zu ermöglichen. Anliegen des Vorhabens wird die Prüfung und Bewertung von typischen Beanspruchungszuständen beim Schweißen von Leichtbaustrukturen hinsichtlich ihrer Erstarrungsrissneigung sein. Durch Ableitung klassifizierter Gestaltungshinweise wird ein signifikanter Beitrag zur Steigerung der Wettbewerbsfähigkeit insbesondere für KMU geliefert. Die Ergebnisse werden in Normen zur sicheren schweißtechnischen Fertigung von Leichtbaustrukturen aus hochfesten Stählen direkt einfließen.
Influence of Residual Stresses on Stress Relief Cracking of Thick Walled Creep Resistant Steel Welds
(2022)
Controlling the residual stress level during welding of creep-resistant Cr-Mo-V steels is crucial to avoid so called stress relief cracking (SRC) during post weld heat treatment (PWHT) of large-scale components. In the present study, a laboratory scale test specimen (400 mm x 400 mm x 25 mm) was used to simulate thick-walled component welds made of 13CrMoV9-10. The aim was to identify the level and distribution of residual stresses to evaluate the suitability of the specimen for laboratory based SRC testing. High restraint was ensured by the specimen geometry with a narrow welding gap in the center. This gap was filled by submerged arc welding in a multi-layer technique. Two specimens were welded with identical parameters and compared in the as-welded state and after PWHT (705 °C for 10 h). Neutron diffraction was used to determine the residual stresses in the weld metal, the heat-affected zone (HAZ) and the base material at different depths longitudinal, transverse, and normal to the welding direction. The experiments were performed on the instrument E3 of the research reactor BERII of HZB Berlin, Germany. Complementarily, laboratory X-ray diffraction was applied to characterize the surface residual stresses. In the welded state, especially in the weld metal and the adjacent HAZ, the residual stress can reach the yield strength of the untreated material. The highest levels occur in the longitudinal direction. The transverse and normal directions are characterized by residual stress of lower magnitude. As expected, the residual stress is almost completely relieved after PWHT.
Offshore wind turbines continuously increase in size and weight and demand adequate offshore foundations concepts like monopiles, tripods or jackets. These components are typically submerged arc welded (SAW) high-strength thick steel plates like the S420ML. During welding, the occurrence of delayed hydrogen assisted cracking (HAC) must be anticipated. HAC is a critical combination of the local hydrogen concentration within a susceptible microstructure under certain mechanical load, i.e., the occurring (welding) residual stresses. The welding sequence of the thick-walled plates complicate the residual stress distribution due to the necessary repeated thermal cycling, i.e., welding seam / layer deposition to fill the joint. For that purpose, SAW with two-wire-technique was used to weld a specially designed and prototype-like mock-up of a real component with a thickness of 50 mm, filled with 22 passes and a seam length of 1,000 mm. Additional welded stiffeners simulated the effect of a high restraint, to stimulate critical HAC conditions. The residual stresses were determined by a robot XRD goniometer. A least square regression analysis of the sin²ψ-law by using multiple ψ- and φ-tilts was applied. Tensile residual stresses up to the yield limit are found both in the weld metal and in the heat-affected zone. Numerical modelling allowed the qualitative estimation of the hydrogen diffusion in the weld, enabling the determination of critical conditions for the formation of HAC. In a future step, a structural simulation will allow the assessment of the welding residual stresses and the comparison to the XRD-values.
Al-Si alloys produced by Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) techniques allow the fabrication of lightweight free-shape components that find space in aerospace, automotive, biomedical and military applications. Due to the high cooling rates occurring during the building process, L-PBF AlSi10Mg alloys exhibit an ultra-fine microstructure that leads to superior mechanical properties in the as-built condition compared to conventional cast Al-Si materials. Nevertheless, L-PBF processing induces high thermal gradients, leading to deleterious residual stress levels that must be considered to avoid part distortion and unpredicted failures. In order to relax detrimental residual stress and to increase the ductility, post-processing stress relief treatments are generally performed. In as-built condition the hypoeutectic AlSi10Mg microstructure consist of fine α-Al cells containing uniformly dispersed silicon nanoparticles, which are, in addition, surrounded by a eutectic Si network. Above 260°C the silicon interconnectivity starts to breakdown into spheroidized particles and to coarsen. At the same time, the heating residual stresses are relieved.
The objective of the contribution is to investigate, under different heat treatment conditions, the evolution of microstructure and residual stresses in view of optimizing the fatigue performance of the alloy. To this purpose various heat treatments in a range of temperatures between 265°C and 300°C for a duration between 15 minutes and 2 hours are performed. The microstructure modifications are analysed using a scanning electron microscope and the residual stress state is measured by laboratory X-ray diffraction.
The triaxial distribution of the residual stress in laser powder bed fused austenitic steel 316L was determined by X-ray and neutron diffraction. The residual stress analysis results were linked to the thermal history of the specimens, which were manufactured with varying inter-layer-times and scanning velocities. A clear link between the in-process temperature of the specimens and the residual stress was found, based on in-situ monitoring data.
Laser-based additive manufacturing methods allow the production of complex metal structures within a single manufacturing step. However, the localized heat input and the layer-wise manufacturing manner give rise to large thermal gradients. Therefore, large internal stress (IS) during the process (and consequently residual stress (RS) at the end of production) is generated within the parts. This IS or RS can either lead to distortion or cracking during fabrication or in-service part failure, respectively. With this in view, the knowledge on the magnitude and spatial distribution of RS is important to develop strategies for its mitigation. Specifically, diffraction-based methods allow the spatial resolved determination of RS in a non-destructive fashion. In this review, common diffraction-based methods to determine RS in laser-based additive manufactured parts are presented. In fact, the unique microstructures and textures associated to laser-based additive manufacturing processes pose metrological challenges. Based on the literature review, it is recommended to (a) use mechanically relaxed samples measured in several orientations as appropriate strain-free lattice spacing, instead of powder, (b) consider that an appropriate grain-interaction model to calculate diffraction-elastic constants is both material- and texture-dependent and may differ from the conventionally manufactured variant. Further metrological challenges are critically reviewed and future demands in this research field are discussed.
Phase Transformation and Strain Evolution during Welding of Low Transformation Temperature Alloys
(2021)
In this work, the phase and strain formation in multipass welding of LTT gas metal arc welds were observed under realistic restraints by means of time resolved angular-dispersive synchrotron X-ray diffraction at the High Energy Materials Science beamline HEMS at PETRA III (DESY), Hamburg Germany. It was shown that the strain evolution during cooling correlates with the amount of martensite formed. Both, the strain of martensite and austenite are affected during phase transformation. Even though dilution processes limit the LTT effect in the root compared to the top layer, the strains are significantly reduced compared to the conventional weld metal. The observed effects are found for both Ni and Mn based LTT filler metals regardless of their respective Ms temperature.
This study reports on the stress relaxation potential of stress-relieving heat treatments for laser powder bed fused 316L. The residual stress is monitored non-destructively using neutron diffraction before and after the heat treatment. Moreover, the evolution of the microstructure is analysed using scanning electron microscopy. The results show, that a strong relaxation of the residual stress is obtained when applying a heat treatment temperature at 900°C. However, the loss of the cellular substructure needs to be considered when applying this heat treatment strategy.
WAAM process influences on local microstructure and residual stresses in high-strength steels
(2021)
High-strength fine-grain structural steels have great potential for weight optimization of many modern engineering structures. Efficient manufacturing can be achieved here above all by Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM). First commercial high-strength welding consumables for WAAM are already available. Due to a lack of knowledge and guidelines for the industry regarding welding residual stresses and component safety in manufacturing and operation, their application is still severely limited. Residual stresses play a crucial role here, as the special microstructure of high-strength steels is sensitive to cold cracking.
For this reason, process- and material-related influences, as well as the design effects on residual stress formation, are being investigated in a project funded by the AiF (FOSTA P1380/IGF 21162 BG). This study focuses on determining the interactions between heat control during WAAM process, resulting hardness, microstructure, and residual stresses, analyzed by X-ray diffraction. Welding experiments using geometrically similar AM specimens show that, with regard to the heat input, the energy per unit length in particular leads to significantly affected cooling times and microstructures and causes pronounced localized effects in terms of residual stresses in the upper weld beads.
High-strength fine-grained structural steels have great potential for weight-optimized, efficient structures in many modern steel applications. Further advances in efficiency can be achieved through additive manufacturing and bionic design. Commercial high-strength filler materials for wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) are already provided by the consumable producers. Today, application would be strictly limited due to absence of quantitative findings or any guidelines for the industry regarding welding-related stresses and component safety during manufacturing and service. Hence, process- and material-related influences and design-related restraint conditions associated with formation of residual stresses and cold cracking risk are investigated. The aim is the accessibility of special WAAM self-restraining cold cracking tests and easy applicable processing recommendations, enabling an economical, fit-for-purpose and crack-safe WAAM of high-strength steels. This first study focuses on determination of interactions between WAAM process parameters, resulting layer geometry, microstructure and residual stresses, analyzed via X-ray diffraction. Defined reference specimens are automated welded using a special WAAM solid wire (yield strength >820 MPa). Geometric properties can be specifically adjusted by wire feed and welding speed, but cannot be varied arbitrarily, since a high heat input causes local overheating, inadmissible changes of microstructure and mechanical properties, defects and comparable high tensile residual stresses.
The residual stress (RS) in laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) IN718 alloy samples produced using a 67°-rotation scan strategy is investigated via laboratory X-ray diffraction (XRD) and neutron diffraction (ND). The location dependence of the strain-free (d₀) lattice spacing in ND is evaluated using a grid array of coupons extracted from the far-edge of the investigated specimen. No compositional spatial variation is observed in the grid array. The calculated RS fields show considerable non-uniformity, significant stress gradients in the region from 0.6 to 2 mm below the surface, as well as subsurface maxima that cannot be accounted for via XRD. It is concluded that failure to determine such maxima would hamper a quantitative determination of RS fields by means of the stress balance method.
Scanning Manufacturing Parameters Determining the Residual Stress State in LPBF IN718 Small Parts
(2021)
The influence of scan strategy on the residual stress (RS) state of an as-built IN718 alloy produced by means of laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) is investigated. Two scan vector rotations (90°-alternation and 67°-rotation), each produced following two different scan vector lengths (long and short), are used to manufacture four rectangular prisms. Neutron diffraction (ND) and laboratory X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques are used to map the bulk and surface RS state, respectively. The distortion induced upon removal from the baseplate is measured via profilometry. XRD measurements show that the two long scan vector strategies lead to higher RS when compared with the equivalent short scan vector strategies. Also, the 67°-rotation strategies generate lower RS than their 90°-alternation counterparts. Due to the lack of reliable stress-free d0 references, the ND results are analyzed using von Mises stress. In general, ND results show significant RS spatial non-uniformity. A comparison between ND and distortion results indicates that the RS component parallel to the building direction (Z-axis) has a predominant role in the Z-displacement. The use of a stress balance scheme allows to discuss the d0 variability along the length of the specimens, as well as examine the absolute RS state.
For higher operational temperatures and pressures required in petrochemical plants, the modified 13CrMoV9-10 steel was developed providing high resistance against creep and compressed hydrogen. Extreme care during the welding procedure is necessary for this steel, attributed to low toughness, high strength in as-welded state, and increased susceptibility to stress relief cracking (SRC) during post-weld heat treatment (PWHT). Previous research of SRC in creep-resistant steels discussed mainly thermal and metallurgical factors. Few previous findings addressed the influences of welding procedure on crack formation during PWHT considering real-life manufacturing conditions. These investigations focus on effects of welding heat control on stresses during welding and subsequent PWHT operations close to realistic restraint and heat dissipation conditions using a special 3D testing facility, which was presented in parts I and II of this contribution. Part III addresses investigations on residual stress evolution affecting crack formation and discusses the transferability of results from large-scale testing to laboratory-scale. Experiments with test set-ups at different scales under diverse rigidity conditions and an assessment of the residual stresses of the weld-specimens using X-ray (surface near) and neutron diffraction analysis (bulk) were performed. This study aims to provide a way of investigating the SRC behaviour considering component-specific residual stresses via small-scale testing concepts instead of expensive weld mock-ups.
The relationship between residual stresses and microstructure associated with a laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) IN718 alloy has been investigated on specimens produced with three different scanning strategies (unidirectional Y-scan, 90° XY-scan, and 67° Rot-scan). Synchrotron X-ray energy-dispersive diffraction (EDXRD) combined with optical profilometry was used to study residual stress (RS) distribution and distortion upon removal of the specimens from the baseplate. The microstructural characterization of both the bulk and the nearsurface regions was conducted using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). On the top surfaces of the specimens, the highest RS values are observed in the Y-scan specimen and the lowest in the Rot-scan specimen, while the tendency is inversed on the side lateral surfaces. A considerable amount of RS remains in the specimens after their removal from the baseplate, especially in the Y- and Z-direction (short specimen Dimension and building direction (BD), respectively). The distortion measured on the top surface following baseplate thinning and subsequent removal is mainly attributed to the amount of RS released in the build direction. Importantly, it is observed that the additive manufacturing microstructures challenge the use of classic theoretical models for the calculation of diffraction elastic constants (DEC) required for diffraction-based RS analysis. It is found that when the Reuß model is used for the calculation of RS for different crystal planes, as opposed to the conventionally used Kröner model, the results exhibit lower scatter. This is discussed in context of experimental measurements of DEC available in the literature for conventional and additively manufactured Ni-base alloys.
Laser based powder bed fusion additive manufacturing offers the flexibility to incorporate standard and userdefined scan strategies in a layer or in between the layers for the customized fabrication of metallic components. In the present study, four different scan strategies and their impact on the development of microstructure, texture, and residual stresses in laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing of a nickel-based superalloy Inconel 718 was investigated. Light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy combined with electron backscatter diffraction, and neutron diffraction were used as the characterization tools. Strong textures with epitaxially grown columnar grains were observed along the build direction for the two individual scan strategies. Patterns depicting the respective scan strategies were visible in the build plane, which dictated the microstructure development in the other planes. An alternating strategy combining the individual strategies in the successive layers and a 67◦ rotational strategy weakened the texture by forming finer microstructural features. Von Mises equivalent stress plots revealed lower stress values and gradients, which translates as lower distortions for the alternating and rotational strategies. Overall results confirmed the scope for manipulating the microstructure, texture, and residual stresses during laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing by effectively controlling the scan strategies.
Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) of Ni-based superalloys shows great potential for high temperature applications, for example, as a burner repair application for gas turbines where the thin-walled structure is important. It motivates this work to investigate the evolution of microstructure and the anisotropic mechanical behavior when plate-like specimens are built with a thickness from 4 mm down to 1 mm. By performing texture analysis using neutron diffraction, a clear transition in fiber texture from <011> to <001> is indicated when the specimen becomes thinner. The residual stress shows no thickness dependence, and at the subsurface the residual stress reaches the same level as the yield strength. Due to the rough as-built surface, a roughness compensation method for mechanical properties of thin-walled structures is outlined and demonstrated. Tensile tests from room temperature up to 700 ◦C have been carried out. Anisotropic mechanical behavior is found at all temperatures, which is strongly related to the anisotropic texture evolution. Stronger texture evolution and grain rotations are discovered when the tensile loading is applied along the building direction. The mechanical behavior has been compared to a wrought material, where the high dislocation density and the subgrain structure of the LPBF material result in a higher yield strength. Combining the statistical texture analysis by neutron diffraction with mechanical testing, EBSD grain orientation mapping and the investigation of dislocation structures using transmission electron microscopy, this work illustrates the significance of texture for the thin-wall effect and anisotropic mechanical behavior of LPBF materials.
As opposed to reviewing results on experimental determination of residual stress by diffraction, this paper discusses the open issues when dealing with residual stress determination in additive manufactured parts, in particular those manufactured with laser powder bed fusion techniques. Three points are addressed in detail: (a) the proper determination of the strain-free reference d0, (b) the problem of the determination of the principal axes, and (c) the use of the correct diffraction elastic constants. It is shown that all methods to determine the strain-free reference d0 suffer from caveats, and care must be taken in evaluating the most suitable for the problem being tackled. In addition, it is shown that, in some systems, the principal axes do correspond to the geometrical axes of the specimen, but this needs to be systematically checked, especially in the case of uni- or bidirectional hatching strategies. Finally, the need to experimentally determine the proper diffraction elastic constants is underlined, especially in the case of strongly textured specimens, which again depends on the deposition strategy.
Die Verwendung von LTT-Zusatzwerkstoffen stellt einen alternativen Ansatz zu den sonst üblichen Verfahren der Schweißnahtnachbehandlung zur Schwingfestigkeitserhöhung geschweißter Stahlkonstruktionen dar. Der wesentliche Wirkmechanismus beruht auf der Beeinflussung des Eigenspannungszustands durch die niedrige Martensitstarttemperatur bereits während des Schweißens. Dadurch werden die Druckeigenspannungen aus der behinderten Volumenausdehnung infolge Phasenumwandlung voll wirksam. Weiter weist die Schweißnaht eine hohe Härte auf, die die Schwingrissbildung verzögern kann, allerdings auch zu einer niedrigen Kerbschlagarbeit führt.
Im vorliegenden Forschungsvorhaben wurden grundlegende Untersuchungen zur schweißtechnischen Verarbeitung eines LTT-Zusatzwerkstoffes durchgeführt. Dies beinhaltet die Sicherstellung der Schweißbarkeit sowie die Charakterisierung der Verbindungseigenschaften.
Untersuchungen zur Schweißeignung machten deutlich, dass ein sicherer Einsatz in dem für hochfeste Stähle zur Verfügung stehenden Arbeitsfenster möglich ist. Der verwendete LTT-Zusatz auf Cr-Ni-Basis lässt sich mit hoher Nahtgüte fügen. Auch die mechanischen Eigenschaften erlauben den Einsatz im Bereich hochfester Stähle mit einer Streckgrenze von 960 MPa. Entwicklungspotential gibt es hinsichtlich der Zähigkeit. Die in dieser Arbeit erreichten Kerbschlagwerte liegen deutlich unter denen kommerziell verfügbarer konventioneller Schweißgüter. Die Untersuchungen belegen, dass der Effekt der martensitischen Phasenumwandlung im gesamten Schweißgut zum Tragen kommt. Die angestrebten hohen Druckeigenspannungen finden sich vornehmlich im Schweißgutinnern.
Im weiteren Vorgehen wurden Schwingfestigkeitsuntersuchungen an den Stählen S355J2 und S960Q unter Verwendung konventioneller Zusatzwerkstoffe im Vergleich zum LTT-Zusatz durchgeführt. Die verwendeten Konstruktionsdetails sind ein Stumpfstoß unter Variation der Schweißnahtausführung (DY-Naht und V-Naht), ein Kreuzstoß mit HV-Naht sowie ein Überlappstoß mit einseitig und beidseitig geschweißter Kehlnaht.
Weitergehend wurde eine bauteilähnliche Probe (die Längssteife) untersucht, bei der der LTT-Zusatzwerkstoff als zusätzliche Schweißlage aufgebracht wurde. Neben der Schwingfestigkeit wurden die Schweißnähte hinsichtlich der Eigenspannungen, der Eigenspannungsstabilität im Schwingversuch sowie metallografisch charakterisiert.
Eine generell positive Wirkung des LTT-Zusatzwerkstoffes im Hinblick auf die Schwingfestigkeitssteigerung kann nicht bestätigt werden. Teilweise ist eine Steigerung der Schwingfestigkeit bei Substitution konventioneller Zusatzwerkstoffe zu beobachten, teilweise zeigt sich kein Effekt. Ursächlich hierfür ist die bei manchen Stoßformen mangelnde Steifigkeit quer zur Schweißnaht, die zur Ausbildung hoher Druckeigenspannungen infolge Phasenumwandlung notwendig wäre. Die bauteilähnliche Längssteife bestätigt allerdings das grundlegende Potential der LTT-Zusatzwerkstoffe bei Vorliegen hinreichender Steifigkeit.
The use of low transformation temperature (LTT) filler materials represents a smart approach for increasing the fatigue strength of welded high strength steel structures apart from the usual procedures of post weld treatment. The main mechanism is based on the effect of the low start temperature of martensite formation on the stress already present during welding. Thus, compressive residual stress formed due to constrained volume expansion in connection with phase transformation become highly effective. Furthermore, the weld metal has a high hardness that can delay the formation of fatigue cracks but also leads to low toughness. Fundamental investigations on the weldability of an LTT filler material are presented in this work, including the characterization of the weld microstructure, its hardness, phase transformation temperature and mechanical properties. Special attention was applied to avoid imperfections in order to ensure a high weld quality for subsequent fatigue testing. Fatigue tests were conducted on the welded joints of the base materials S355J2 and S960QL using conventional filler materials as a comparison to the LTT filler. Butt joints were used with a variation in the weld type (DY-weld and V-weld). In addition, a component-like specimen (longitudinal stiffener) was investigated where the LTT filler material was applied as an additional layer. The joints were characterized with respect to residual stress, its stability during cyclic loading and microstructure. The results show that the application of LTT consumables leads to a significant increase in fatigue strength when basic design guidelines are followed. This enables a benefit from the lightweight design potential of high-strength steel grades.
The effect of two types of scanning strategies on the grain structure and build-up of Residual Stress (RS) has been investigated in an as-built IN718 alloy produced by Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF). The RS state has been investigated by X-ray diffraction techniques. The microstructural characterization was performed principally by Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD), where the application of a post-measurement refinement technique enables small misorientations (< 2°) to be resolved. Kernel average misorientation (KAM) distributions indicate that preferably oriented columnar grains contain higher levels of misorientation, when compared to elongated grains with lower texture. The KAM distributions combined with X-ray diffraction stress maps infer that the increased misorientation is induced via plastic deformation driven by the thermal stresses, acting to self-relieve stress. The possibility of obtaining lower RS states in the build direction as a consequence of the influence of the microstructure should be considered when envisaging scanning strategies aimed at the mitigation of RS.
Solidification Cracking Assessment of LTT Filler Materials by Means of Varestraint Testing and μCT
(2020)
Investigations of the weldability of metals often deal with hot cracking, as one of the most dreaded imperfections during weld fabrication. The hot cracking investigations presented in this paper were carried out as part of a study on the development of low transformation temperature (LTT) weld filler materials. These alloys allow to mitigate tensile residual stresses that usually arise during welding using conventional weld filler materials. By this means, higher fatigue strength and higher lifetimes of the weld can be achieved. However, LTT weld filler materials are for example, high-alloyed Cr/Ni steels that are susceptible to the formation of hot cracks. To assess hot cracking, we applied the standardized modified varestraint transvarestraint hot cracking test (MVT), which is well appropriate to evaluate different base or filler materials with regard to their hot cracking susceptibility. In order to consider the complete material volume for the assessment of hot cracking, we additionally applied microfocus X-ray computer tomography (μCT). It is shown that by a suitable selection of welding and MVT parameter the analysis of the complete 3D hot crack network can provide additional information with regard to the hot cracking model following Prokhorov. It is now possible to determine easy accessible substitute values (e.g., maximum crack depth) for the extent of the Brittleness Temperature Range (BTR) and the minimum critical strain Pmin.
The control of friction and wear is a major concern in many industrial applications. A promising method for tailored surface modification is the so-called laser implantation technique. This method combines surface texturing and material optimization in one processing step by a localized dispersing of hard ceramic particles using pulsed laser radiation. Wear resistant, protruding micrometric features (implants) with defined geometry can be created in a deterministic pattern where needed on highly stressed surfaces, i.e., on forming or cutting tools.
However, in order to maintain the implants over the tool’s lifetime, a suitable selection of hard ceramic particles is a prerequisite. They must provide a defect-free metal matrix composite with a high share of homogeneously distributed particles and, especially, high implant hardness. In this study, TiN, TiC, and TiB2 hard particles were compared as implant materials for the first time. By a systematic variation of pulse power and pulse duration, their dispersing behavior and influence on the material properties of AISI D2 tool steel were investigated.
Although all powder materials had grain sizes smaller than 10 μm, it was possible to disperse them by pulsed laser radiation and to obtain defect-free protruding implants. The highest share of dispersed particles (∼64%) was observed for TiB2. By scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, it was also shown that a significant share of the preplaced particles was dissolved by the laser beam and precipitated as nanometer sized particles within the matrix during solidification. These in situ formed particles have a decisive influence on the material properties. While the TiN and TiC implants have shown maximum hardness values of 750 and 850 HV1, the TiB2 implants have shown the highest hardness values with more than 1600 HV1. By x-ray diffraction, it was possible to ascribe the lower hardness values of TiC and TiN implants to high amounts of retained austenite in the metal matrix. By implanting TiB2, the formation of retained austenite was successfully suppressed due to the in situ formation of TiC particles, which was proven by electron backscatter diffraction.
In conclusion, all the implant materials are basically suitable for laser implantation on AISI D2 tool steel. However, TiB2 has shown
the most promising results.
Welding of 13CrMoV9-10 vanadium steel requires care due to an increased susceptibility to stress relief cracking during post weld heat treatment. Previous research into the crack formation in creep-resistant steels has focused on thermal and metallurgical factors; however, little knowledge has been gathered regarding the crack formation during post weld heat treatment considering real-life restraint conditions. This work is subdivided in two parts. Part I showed that an increasing heat input during submerged arc welding under restraint led to an increasing stress level in the joint prior to the post weld heat treatment. The magnitude of stress relief cracking observed in the heat-affected zone after the post weld heat treatment is affected by the heat input. In Part II of this work, the cracks and the associated microstructure which occurred under restraint were studied. The application of a Special acoustic emission analysis indicated that the cracks formed in a temperature range between 300 and 500 °C during the post weld heat treatment. The toughness in the heat-affected zone of the restrained welds was affected by the welding heat input.
Microstructural analyses of all specimens revealed accelerated aging due to precipitation of carbides during post weld heat treatment under restraint.
The avoidance of failures during the fabrication or operation of petrochemical reactors made of creep-resistant, low-alloy steels as 13CrMoV9-10 requires still research despite over 60 years of international investigations in the field of stress relief cracking. The quality of modern base materials and filler metals leads to the fact that previously known crack causes, such as impurities of S or P, recede into the background. Rather, the causes are increasingly to be found in the fabrication process. Investigations on the influence of heat control on the stresses in welded components and thus on the stress relief cracking sensitivity under realistic manufacturing conditions are not yet available. This work is subdivided in two parts. Part 1 of this study focused on the effect of heat control during submerged arc welding on the stresses. For this purpose, a testing facility was applied, which allows to observe the forces and moments accumulating during welding or heat treatment in a component-like specimen under shrinkage restraint. The stress acting in the specimen increases with higher preheat/interpass temperatures and higher heat input. During the heat treatment, the stresses are relieved. Nevertheless, cracks are formed already during heating. The total crack length correlates with the heat input.
The subject of this study is how, and to what extent, Varestraint/Transvarestraint test results are influenced by both testing parameters and characteristics of evaluation methods. Several different high-alloyed martensitic LTT (low Transformation temperature) filler materials, CrNi and CrMn type, were selected for examination due to their rather distinctive solidification cracking behaviour, which aroused interest after previous studies. First, the effects of different process parameter sets on the solidification cracking response were measured using standard approaches. Subsequently, microfocus X-ray computer tomography (μCT) scans were performed on the specimens. The results consistently show sub-surface cracking to significant yet varying extents. Different primary solidification types were found using wavelength dispersive X-ray (WDX) analysis conducted on filler metals with varying Cr/Ni equivalent ratios. This aspect is regarded as the main difference between the CrNiand CrMn-type materials in matters of cracking characteristics. Results show that when it comes to testing of modern highperformance alloys, one set of standard Varestraint testing parameters might not be equally suitable for all materials. Also, to properly accommodate different solidification types, sub-surface cracking has to be taken into account.
Investigations on weldability often deal with hot cracking, as one of the most popular failure during weld fabrication. The modified varestraint transvarestraint hot cracking test (MVT) is well known for the assessment of the hot cracking susceptibility of materials. The shortcoming of this approach is that the information is only from the very near surface region, which inhibits access to the characteristic of the hot crack network in the bulk. Here, we report about a new approach, illustrated in the example of low transformation temperature (LTT) weld filler materials, to monitor the entire 3D hot crack network after welding by means of microfocus X-ray computer tomography (μCT).
Von der Anwendung ins Prüflabor: Maßstabsgetreues Bewerten von Spannungen in geschweißten Bauteilen
(2019)
Eigenspannungen sind von zentraler Bedeutung für die Performance geschweißter Bauteile. Die Bewertung schweißbedingter Beanspruchungen im Labormaßstab ist oft nicht zielführend. Reale Bauteilschweißungen weisen geometrisch und konstruktiv bedingt meist divergente Wärmeableitungs- und Einspannbedingungen auf. Dadurch lassen sich häufig nur eingeschränkt Aussagen über Eigenspannungshöhen, -verteilungen und die wesentlichen Einflussfaktoren treffen. Dies führt oftmals zur eher konservativen Konstruktionsauslegung und damit zu einer geringerenRessourcen- und Energieeffizienz. Dieser Beitrag widmet sich den Bestrebungen, reale Randbedingungen beim Bauteilschweißen in das Labor zu übertragen. Es werden die Möglichkeiten eines speziell für diesen Zweck an der BAM entwickelten Prüfsystems mit einer maximalen Tragkraft von 2 MN aufgezeigt. Durch die konstruktive Gestaltung der Anlage lassen sich in Schweißversuchen schweißbedingte Beanspruchungen nachbilden und die komplexen Einflüsse und Wechselwirkungen durch Schweißprozess, Bauteilgeometrie und -konstruktion sowie durch die eingesetzten Grund- und Zusatzwerkstoffe quantifizieren. Darüber hinaus können mittels Röntgenbeugung die resultierenden lokalen Eigenspannungen präzise und mit hoher Ortsauflösung bestimmt werden. Anhand von Beispielen wird die Nachbildung realer Produktionsbedingungen im Labor erörtert und gezeigt, wie die Spannungen beim Schweißen hochfester Baustähle von konstruktiven, werkstoff- und prozessseitigen Randbedingungen abhängen.
So wurde geklärt, wie erhöhte Arbeitstemperaturen zum signifikanten Anstieg der Beanspruchungen führen.
Residual stresses are crucial when assessing the performance of welded components. The present work deals with the possibilities of transferring the real-life boundary conditions of welding, which influence the residual stress, into the laboratory. The possibilities of a test system with a load capacity of 2 MN specifically developed for online monitoring of stress formation and cracking are shown. Due to the structural design, global process, geometry and material-dependent stresses are induced, which can be quantified in-situ during welding and post weld heat treatment. Examples are presented how the conditions to be found during production are simulated in the laboratory. It is shown how welding residual stresses in high-strength steels are affected by the heat control. Elevated working temperatures significantly increase the tensile residual stresses in the heat affected zone (HAZ). The effect of mechanical stresses resulting from welding on stress relief cracking is demonstrated by the example of a creep resistant steel. Reheat cracks were monitored online during post weld heat treatment.
Welding residual stress engineering by means of an adjusted martensite phase transformation would be highly attractive as detrimental tensile residual stresses may be prevented already during welding without time and cost intensive post processing. The present study shows a synchrotron diffraction analysis of a martensitic steel subjected to thermo-mechanical load cycles. Experiments were conducted regarding the microstructural strain response during the austenite to martensite transformation. The strains are a function of the temperature and the specific loads applied during cooling. The relation between the transformation plasticity of the material, the amount of martensite formed and the arising strains can thus be assessed. The lattice plane specific strains were compared to experimental findings from (macro) dilatation tests. It is shown that the microscopic material behavior differs remarkably from the one observed on the macroscopic scale, what leads to characteristic residual stresses in the material.
Welding residual stress engineering by means of an adjusted martensite phase transformation would be highly attractive as detrimental tensile residual stresses may be prevented already during welding without time and cost intensive post processing. The present study shows a synchrotron diffraction analysis of a martensitic steel subjected to thermo-mechanical load cycles. Experiments were conducted regarding the microstructural strain response during the austenite to martensite transformation. The strains are a function of the temperature and the specific loads applied during cooling. The relation between the transformation plasticity of the material, the amount of martensite formed and the arising strains can thus be assessed. The lattice plane specific strains were compared to experimental findings from (macro) dilatation tests. It is shown that the microscopic material behavior differs remarkably from the one observed on the macroscopic scale, what leads to characteristic residual stresses in the material.
The control of friction and wear is a major concern in many industrial applications. A promising method for a tailored surface modification is the so-called laser implantation technique. This method combines surface texturing and material optimization in one processing step by a localized dispersing of hard ceramic particles using pulsed laser radiation. Wear resistant, protruding micrometric features (implants) with defined geometry can be created in deterministic pattern where needed on highly stressed surfaces, i.e. on forming or cutting tools. However, in order to maintain the implants over the tool’s lifetime, a suitable selection of hard ceramic particles is a prerequisite. They must provide a defect-free Metal Matrix Composite with a high share of homogeneously distributed particles and especially a high implant hardness.
In this study TiN, TiC and TiB2 hard particles were compared as implant materials for the first time. By a systematic variation of the pulse power and pulse duration, their dispersing behavior and influence on the material properties of AISI D2 tool steel was investigated. Although all powder materials had grain sizes smaller than 10 µm, it was possible to disperse them by pulsed laser radiation and to obtain defect-free protruding implants. The highest share of dispersed particles (~64 %) was observed for TiB2. By scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, it was also shown that a significant share of the pre-placed particles was dissolved by the laser beam and precipitated as nanometer sized particles within the matrix during solidification. These in-situ formed particles have a decisive influence on the material properties. While the TiN and TiC implants have shown maximum hardness values of 750 HV1 and 850 HV1, the TiB2 implants have shown the highest hardness values with more than 1600 HV1. By X-ray diffraction, it was possible to ascribe the lower hardness values of TiC and TiN implants to high amounts of retained austenite in the metal matrix. By implanting TiB2, the formation of retained austenite was successfully suppressed due to the in-situ formation of TiC particles, which was proven by electron backscatter diffraction. In conclusion, all the implant materials are basically suitable for laser implantation on AISI D2 tool steel. However, TiB2 has shown the most promising results.
Die klassische Beurteilung der Heißrissneigung erfolgt bislang primär über das Prüfen der Schweißeignung des Werkstoffes. Die konstruktiven Bedingungen und bauteilspezifischen Beanspruchungszustände bleiben dabei meist unberücksichtigt. Die Vielzahl an Heißrisstests liefert dabei lediglich werkstoff-spezifische, empiri-sche Heißrissparameter, wie z. B. Gesamtrisslänge oder Gesamtrissanzahl. Eine Bauteilübertragbarkeit ist somit oftmals nicht gegeben, gerade wenn es sich um hochbeanspruchte Konstruktionsmerkmale des Leichtbaus handelt. Folglich sind mechanische Kenngrößen (risskritische Verformungen/Spannungen) zu identifizieren, die sicher und unter realitätsnahen Bedingungen erfasst werden können. Diese dienen als Transfergrößen, um die Heißrissanfälligkeit geschweißter Bauteile mit typischen Konstruktionsmerkmalen zu bewerten.
Over the past years economic and environmental considerations have led to a markedly increased demand for efficiency and flexibility in petrochemical plants. The operational temperatures and pressures required today can only be achieved by using new creep-resistant grades of steel. The modified 13CrMoV9-10 vanadium steel shows a good resistance against creep and compressed hydrogen and has been in use for the construction of petrochemical reactors since the mid-1990s. Nevertheless, processing of this type of steel requires extreme care during the welding procedure. This is due to its low toughness and high strength in the welded state when not post weld heat treated combined with increased susceptibility to cracking during stress relaxation. Previous research into crack formation in creep-resistant steels has largely focused on thermal and metallurgical factors; however, little knowledge has been gathered regarding the influence of the welding procedure on crack formation during post weld heat treatment considering real-life manufacturing conditions. The influence of heat control on the mechanical properties has been investigated by simulating the welding and subsequent post weld heat treatment operations during the construction of petrochemical reactors using a special 3-D testing facility on the laboratory scale.
This work is subdivided in two parts. In part I of this study the stresses resulting from preheating, welding, dehydrogenation heat treatment and the final post weld heat treatment were analyzed during experiments under varied heat control. In all experiments stress relief cracks formed during post weld heat treatment could be observed. The total crack lengths correlated with the welding induced stresses.
Part II of this work is dedicated to the characterization of the cracks and the microstructure. The application of a special acoustic emission analysis indicated that the cracks formed in a temperature range between 300 °C and 500 °C during the post weld heat treatment. In comparison to small scale specimens welded without additional shrinkage restraint, the toughness of the restrained welds was significantly decreased. SEM and TEM analyses of all samples revealed accelerated aging due to early precipitation of special carbides during post weld heat treatment under component relevant restraint.
High-strength steels are increasingly applied in modern steel constructions to meet today’s lightweight requirements. Welding of these steels demands a profound knowledge of the interactions between the welding process, cooling conditions, heat input, and the resulting metallurgical occurrences in the weld and its vicinity. Additionally, welding stresses may be detrimental for the safety and performance of high-strength steel component welds during fabrication and service, especially due to the high yield ratio. For a development of strategies to adjust welding heat control, all these effects should be considered, to reach a complete exploitation of the high-strength steel potential. In recent researches at BAM, multilayer GMAW experiments were performed with high-strength steels, in which cooling conditions and resulting microstructure were analyzed for varied heat control parameters. The application of a unique 3d-operating testing facility and X-ray diffraction measurements allowed the analysis of local stresses in the weld while welding and cooling under component relevant shrinkage restraints. As a result, correlations between material behavior, welding, and cooling condition and the arising multi-axial stresses and forces were found. Based on this study, statements for the development of adapted heat control concepts were derived, which are presented by means of specific analysis examples.
Wirtschaftliche und ökologische Aspekte führten in den letzten Jahren zu deutlich gesteigerten Anforderungen an die Effizienz und die Flexibilität petrochemischer Anlagen. Die heutzutage geforderten Prozesstemperaturen und -drücke lassen sich nur durch den Einsatz neuer warmfester Stahlgüten erreichen. Der mit Vanadium modifizierte Stahl 13CrMoV9-10 weist eine bessere Kriech- und Druckwasserstoffbeständigkeit auf und wird seit Mitte der 90er Jahre im petrochemischen Reaktorbau eingesetzt. Aufgrund der niedrigen Zähigkeit und hohen Festigkeit des Schweißgutes im geschweißten, nicht spannungsarm geglühten Zustand sowie einer erhöhten Sensitivität gegenüber Spannungsrelaxationsrissen bedarf dieser Stahl allerdings einer äußerst sorgfältigen schweißtechnischen Verarbeitung. Bisherige Untersuchungen zur Rissentstehung in warmfesten Stählen konzentrierten sich vorrangig auf thermische und metallurgische Einflussfaktoren, bieten jedoch nur wenige Erkenntnisse zum Einfluss des Schweißprozesses auf die Rissbildung beim Spannungsarmglühen unter Berücksichtigung realitätsnaher Fertigungsbedingungen.
Im ersten Teil wurde zunächst der Einfluss der Wärmeführung auf die mechanischen Eigenschaften anhand von frei schrumpfenden Laborproben untersucht. Während sich die Wärmeführung wesentlich auf die Schweißnahtstruktur auswirkte, war ein signifikanter Effekt auf die mechanischen Eigenschaften nicht nachweisbar. Auch traten infolge der Wärmenachbehandlung der frei schrumpfend geschweißten Proben keine Spannungsrelaxationsrisse auf.
Der zweite Teil umfasste die realitätsnahe Abbildung der Fertigungsbedingungen im petrochemischen Reaktorbau. Zu diesem Zweck wurden die konstruktiven Randbedingungen während des Vorwärmens, Schweißens, des Wasserstoffarmglühens und der abschließenden Wärmenachbehandlung realitätsnah in einer speziellen 3-D-Prüfanlage zur Simulation von Bauteilschweißungen abgebildet. Unter konstruktiver Schrumpfbehinderung gelang der Nachweis der unterschiedlichen Wirkung von Vorwärm- / Zwischenlagentemperatur und Streckenenergie auf die resultierenden Kräfte, Momente und Spannungen. Die Gesamtreaktionsspannung nach dem Schweißen wurde innerhalb des untersuchten Parameterfeldes maßgeblich durch die Streckenenergie beeinflusst.
Ein möglichst geringer Gesamtwärmeeintrag hat die niedrigste Bauteilbeanspruchung zur Folge. Während der Wärmenachbehandlung kam es in allen Versuchen zu Spannungsrelaxationsrissen. Deren kumulierte Länge korrelierte mit den ermittelten schweißbedingten Reaktionsspannungen.
Die Detektion der Risse während der Wärmenachbehandlung im Bauteilversuch erfolgte erstmalig in-situ mittels Schallemissionsanalyse. Die Rissinitiierung fand nachweislich im Temperaturbereich von 300 °C bis 500 °C statt. Die Reaktionsspannungen nach der Wärmenachbehandlung lagen unabhängig von der Ausgangsbelastung auf einem vergleichbaren Niveau. Die Zähigkeit der Schweißverbindung nahm klar gegenüber den frei schrumpfend geschweißten Proben ab.
Mittels REM- und TEM-Analysen an vergleichbaren belasteten und unbelasteten Proben wurde eine beschleunigte Alterung, durch das frühzeitige Ausscheiden von Sonderkarbiden während der Wärmenachbehandlung unter definierter Einspannung (d. h. unter Belastung), nachgewiesen. Die verstärkte Korngrenzensegregation korrelierte mit der signifikanten Abnahme der Kerbschlagarbeit der unter Einspannung geschweißten Proben.
In the present study, the susceptibility to HAC of the HSLA steel S960QL with same type of filler material was investigated. For that purpose, both Conv. A and Mod. SA were used with same weld heat input at different deposition rates. For assessment of the HAC susceptibility, the externally loaded Implant-test [ ] was used. Both conducted test series with Conv. A and Mod. SA showed similar crack critical stress of about 280 MPa. Below this value, no delayed fracture appeared. The welds with Mod. SA showed higher hydrogen concentrations. The fracture occurred in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) or in the weld metal (WM). But in all specimens, cracks initiated at the notch root of the spiral notch of the implants within the coarse-grained HAZ. However, the test series with Mod. SA showed a significant extension of the time-to-failure of several hours compared to tests carried out with Conv. A, see Fig. 1a. The reason is the deeper weld penetration in case of Mod. SA (Fig. 1b and Fig. 1c), which causes longer diffusion path for hydrogen. The fracture topography of the ruptured implant specimens with Conv. A was typical ductile in specimen center and quasi-cleavage like at the edge of the specimens. When using Mod. SA, the topography changed to primarily quasi-cleavage fracture topography with shares of intergranular fracture and secondary crack appearance.
Die Verwendung von LTT-Zusatzwerkstoffen stellt einen alternativen Ansatz zu den sonst üblichen Verfahren der Schweißnahtnachbehandlung zur Schwingfestigkeitserhöhung geschweißter Stahlkonstruktionen dar. Der wesentliche Wirkmechanismus beruht auf der Beeinflussung des Eigenspannungszustands durch die niedrige Martensitstarttemperatur bereits während des Schweißens. Dadurch werden die Druckeigenspannungen aus der behinderten Volumenausdehnung infolge Phasenumwandlung voll wirksam. Weiter weist die Schweißnaht eine hohe Härte auf, die die Schwingrissbildung verzögern kann, allerdings auch zu einer niedrigen Kerbschlagarbeit führt.
Im ersten Teil dieses Beitrages werden grundlegende Untersuchungen zur schweißtechnischen Verarbeitung eines LTT-Zusatzwerkstoffes präsentiert. Dies beinhaltet zunächst die Sicherstellung der Schweißbarkeit sowie die Charakterisierung der Schweißgefüge und deren Härte mit dem Ziel, reproduzierbare Verbindungseigenschaften für die nachfolgende Schwingfestigkeitsprüfung herzustellen.
Der zweite Teil des Beitrages beschäftigt sich mit den dazugehörigen Schwingfestigkeitsuntersuchungen an den Stählen S355J2 und S960Q unter Verwendung konventioneller Zusatzwerkstoffe im Vergleich zum LTT-Zusatz.
Das verwendete Schweißdetail ist eine Verbindungsschweißung am Stumpfstoß unter Variation der Schweißnahtausführung (DY-Naht und V-Naht). Weitergehend wird eine bauteilähnliche Probe (die Längssteife) untersucht, bei der der LTT-Zusatzwerkstoff als zusätzliche Schweißlage aufgebracht wurde. Neben der Schwingfestigkeit werden die Schweißnähte hinsichtlich der Eigenspannungen, der Eigenspannungsstabilität im Schwingversuch sowie metallografisch charakterisiert. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass LTT-Zusatzwerkstoffe unter Einhaltung wesentlicher Konstruktionsrichtlinien zu einem deutlichen Anstieg der Schwingfestigkeit führen. Dadurch kann das Leichtbaupotential hochfester Stahlgüten genutzt werden.
Additive Manufacturing (AM) through the Selective Laser Melting (SLM) route offers ample scope for producing geometrically complex parts compared to the conventional subtractive manufacturing strategies. Nevertheless, the residual stresses which develop during the fabrication can limit application of the SLM components by reducing the load bearing capacity and by inducing unwanted distortion, depending on the boundary conditions specified during manufacturing.
The present study aims at characterizing the residual stress states in the SLM parts using different diffraction methods. The material used is the nickel based superalloy Inconel 718. Microstructure as well as the surface and bulk residual stresses were characterized. For the residual stress analysis, X-ray, synchrotron and neutron diffraction methods were used. The measurements were performed at BAM, at the EDDI beamline of -BESSY II synchrotron- and the E3 line -BER II neutron reactor- of the Helmholtz-Zentrum für Materialien und Energie (HZB) Berlin.
The results reveal significant differences in the residual stress states for the different characterization techniques employed, which indicates a dependence of the residual state on the penetration depth in the sample. For the surface residual stresses, longitudinal and transverse stress components from both X-ray and synchrotron agree well and the obtained values were around the yield strength of the material. Furthermore, synchrotron mapping disclosed gradients along the width and length of the sample for the longitudinal and transverse stress components. On the other hand, lower residual stresses were found in the bulk of the material measured using neutron diffraction. The longitudinal component was tensile and decreased towards the boundary of the sample. In contrast, the normal component was nearly constant and compressive in nature. The transversal component was almost negligible. The results indicate that a stress re-distribution takes place during the deposition of the consecutive layers. Further investigations are planned to study the phenomenon in detail.
The residual stress distribution in IN718 elongated prisms produced by Selective Laser Melting was studied by means of neutron (bulk) and laboratory X-ray (surface) diffraction.
Two deposition hatch lengths were considered. A horizontal plane near the top surface (perpendicular to the building direction) and a vertical plane near the lateral surface (parallel to the building direction) were investigated. Samples both in as-built (AB) condition and removed (RE) from the base plate were characterized.
While surface stress fields seem constant for AB condition, X-ray diffraction shows stress gradients along the hatch direction in the RE condition. The stress profiles correlate with the distortion maps obtained by tactile probe measurements.
Neutron diffraction shows bulk stress gradients for all principal components along the main sample directions. We correlate the observed stress patterns with the hatch length, i.e. with its effect on temperature gradients and heat flow. The bulk stress gradients partially disappear after removal from the baseplate.
Residual stresses are crucial when assessing the performance of welded components. The present work deals with the possibilities of transferring the real-life boundary conditions of welding, which influence the residual stress, into the laboratory. The possibilities of a test system specifically developed for this purpose with a maximum capacity of 2 MN are shown. Due to the structural design, global process, geometry and material-dependent stresses are induced, which can be simulated and quantified within the system. Additionally, X-ray diffraction can be applied to determine the resulting local residual stress distribution precisely with high spatial resolution. Two examples are presented how the conditions to be found during production are simulated in the laboratory. It is shown how welding residual stresses in high-strength steels are affected by the heat control. It was possible to clarify why elevated working temperatures significantly increase the bending stresses in the welded joint and therefore the tensile residual stresses in the heat affected zone (HAZ). The effect of a heat treatment applied under mechanical stress resulting from welding is demonstrated by the example of a creep resistant steel. Reheat cracking is significantly increased in this case compared to small scale laboratory based tests.
The performance and safety of welded high-strength low-alloyed steel (HSLA) components are substantially affected by the stresses occurring during and after welding fabrication, especially if welding shrinkage and distortion are severely restrained. The surrounding structure of the whole component affects loads in the far-field superimposing with welding stresses in the near-field of the weld. In this study a unique testing facility was used to restrain shrinkage and bending while analyse multiaxial far-field loads (max. 2 MN) during assembly of thick-walled component. A novel approach for the assessment of the in-situ-measured far-field data in combination with the actual weld geometry was elaborated. For the first time, analyses of the global bending moments of restrained welds based on the neutral axis of the actual weld load bearing section were achieved. Hence, far-field measurements offered the possibility to determine critical near-field stresses of the weld crosssections for the entire joining process. This work presents the approach for far-to-near field in-situ determination of stresses in detail for the 2-MN-testing system based on an extensive experimental work on HSLA steel welds, which demonstrates sources and consequences of these high local welding stresses. Thus, it was clarified, why the first weld beads are crucial regarding welding stresses and cold cracking, which is well known, but has never been measured so far. Accompanying analyses using X-ray diffraction (XRD) after welding show effects on local residual stress distributions. These analyses indicated viable prospects for stress reduction during assembly of thick-walled HSLA steel components.
Today, an expanding application of high-strength steels in modern welded constructions can be observed. The economical use of these steel grades largely depends on the strength and reliability of the weldments. Therefore, the special microstructure and mechanical properties of these grades have to be taken into account by keener working ranges regarding the welding parameters.
However, performance and safety of welded components are strongly affected by the stresses occurring during and after welding fabrication locally in the weld seam and globally in the whole component, especially if the shrinkage and distortion due to welding are restrained. Some extensive studies describe the optimization of the welding stresses and the metallurgical effects regarding an adapted welding heat control. Lower working temperatures revealed to be particularly effective to reduce the local and global welding-induced residual stresses of the complete weld significantly. However, decreased interpass temperatures cause concurrently higher stresses during welding fabrication. This work shows strategies to reduce these in-process stresses.
With help of multi-axial welding stress analyses in component-related weld tests, using a special 2-MN-testing facility, differences in stress build-up are described in detail for root welds, filler layers and subsequent cooling to ambient temperature.
Compared to conventional welding consumables using low transformation temperature (LTT) filler materials is an innovative method to mitigate tensile residual stresses due to delayed martensite transformation of the weld. For the effective usage of LTT filler materials, a deeper understanding of the complex processes that lead to the final residual stress state during multipass welding is necessary. Transformation kinetics and the strain evolution of multi-pass welds during welding were investigated in situ at the beamline HEMS@PETRAIII, Germany. Compared to conventional welds, the total strain was reduced and compression strain was achieved when using LTT filler materials. For an optimal use of the LTT effect in the root of multi-pass welds, the alloying concept must be adapted taking care of dilution.
Die Verwendung von LTT-Zusatzwerkstoffen stellt einen alternativen Ansatz zu den sonst üblichen Verfahren der Schweißnahtnachbehandlung zur Schwingfestigkeitserhöhung geschweißter Stahlkonstruktionen dar. Der wesentliche Wirkmechanismus beruht auf der Beeinflussung des Eigenspannungszustands durch die niedrige Martensitstarttemperatur bereits während des Schweißens. Dadurch werden die Druckeigenspannungen aus der behinderten Volumenausdehnung infolge Phasenumwandlung voll wirksam. Weiter weist die Schweißnaht eine hohe Härte auf, die die Schwingrissbildung verzögern kann, allerdings auch zu einer niedrigen Kerbschlagarbeit führt.
Im ersten Teil dieses Beitrages werden grundlegende Untersuchungen zur schweißtechnischen Verarbeitung eines LTT-Zusatzwerkstoffes präsentiert. Dies beinhaltet zunächst die Sicherstellung der Schweißbarkeit sowie die Charakterisierung der Schweißgefüge und deren Härte mit dem Ziel, reproduzierbare Verbindungseigenschaften für die nachfolgende Schwingfestigkeitsprüfung herzustellen. Der zweite Teil des Beitrages beschäftigt sich mit den dazugehörigen Schwingfestigkeitsuntersuchungen an den Stählen S355J2 und S960Q unter Verwendung konventioneller Zusatzwerkstoffe im Vergleich zum LTT-Zusatz.
Das verwendete Schweißdetail ist eine Verbindungsschweißung am Stumpfstoß unter Variation der Schweißnahtausführung (DY-Naht und V-Naht). Weitergehend wird eine bauteilähnliche Probe (die Längssteife) untersucht, bei der der LTT-Zusatzwerkstoff als zusätzliche Schweißlage aufgebracht wurde. Neben der Schwingfestigkeit werden die Schweißnähte hinsichtlich der Eigenspannungen, der Eigenspannungsstabilität im Schwingversuch sowie metallografisch charakterisiert. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass LTT-Zusatzwerkstoffe unter Einhaltung wesentlicher Konstruktionsrichtlinien zu einem deutlichen Anstieg der Schwingfestigkeit führen. Dadurch kann das Leichtbaupotential hochfester Stahlgüten genutzt werden.
Additive Manufacturing (AM) through the Selective Laser Melting (SLM) route offers ample scope for producing geometrically complex parts compared to the conventional subtractive manufacturing strategies. Nevertheless, the residual stresses which develop during the fabrication can limit application of the SLM components by reducing the load bearing capacity and by inducing unwanted distortion, depending on the boundary conditions specified during manufacturing. The present study aims at characterizing the residual stress states in the SLM parts using different diffraction methods. The material used is the nickel based superalloy Inconel 718. Microstructure as well as the surface and bulk residual stresses were characterized.
For the residual stress analysis, X-ray, synchrotron and neutron diffraction methods were used. The measurements were performed at BAM, at the EDDI beamline of -BESSY II synchrotronand the E3 line -BER II neutron reactor- of the Helmholtz-Zentrum für Materialien und Energie (HZB) Berlin. The results reveal significant differences in the residual stress states for the different characterization techniques employed, which indicates the dependence of the residual state on the penetration depth in the sample. For the surface residual stresses, longitudinal and transverse stress components from X-ray and synchrotron agree well and the obtained values were around the yield strength of the material. Furthermore, synchrotron mapping disclosed gradients along the width and length of the sample for the longitudinal and transverse stress components. On the other hand, lower residual stresses were found in the bulk of the material measured using neutron diffraction. The longitudinal component was tensile and decreased towards the boundary of the sample. In contrast, the normal component was nearly constant and compressive in nature. The transversal component was almost negligible. The results indicate that a stress re-distribution takes place during the deposition of the consecutive layers. Further investigations are planned to study the phenomenon in detail.
Residual stresses are crucial when assessing the performance of welded components. The present work deals with the possibilities of transferring the real-life boundary conditions of welding, which influence the residual stress, into the laboratory. The possibilities of a test system specifically developed for this purpose with a maximum load capacity of 2 MN are shown. Due to the structural design, global process, geometry and material-dependent stresses are induced, which can be simulated and quantified within the system. Additionally, X-ray diffraction can be applied to determine the resulting local residual stress distribution precisely with high spatial resolution. Examples are presented how the conditions to be found during production are simulated in the laboratory. It is shown how welding residual stresses in high-strength steels are affected by the heat control. It was possible to clarify why elevated working temperatures significantly increase the tensile residual stresses in the heat affected zone (HAZ). The effect of a heat treatment applied under mechanical stress resulting from welding is demonstrated by the example of a creep resistant steel. Reheat cracking is significantly increased in this case compared to small scale laboratory based tests.
Submerged arc welded (SAW) components of creep-resistant low-alloyed Cr-Mo-V steels are used for thick-walled heavy petrochemical reactors (wall-thickness up to 475 mm) as well as employed in construction of modern high-efficient fossil fired power plants. These large components are accompanied by significant restraints during welding fabrication, especially at positions of different thicknesses like welding of nozzles. As a result, residual stresses occur, playing a dominant role concerning so-called stress relief cracking (SRC) typically during post weld heat treatment (PWHT). Besides specific metallurgical factors (like secondary hardening due to reprecipitation), high tensile residual stresses are a considerable influence factor on SRC.
For the assessment of SRC susceptibility of certain materials mostly mechanical tests are applied which are isolated from the welding process. Conclusions regarding the influence of mechanical factors are rare so far. The present research follows an approach to reproduce loads, which occur during welding of real thick-walled components scaled to laboratory conditions by using Tests designed on different measures. A large-scale slit specimen giving a high restraint in 3 dimensions by high stiffness was compared to a medium-scale multi-pass welding U-Profile specimen showing a high degree of restraint in longitudinal direction and a small-scale TIG-remelted specimen. The small-scale specimens were additionally subjected to mechanical bending to induce loads that are found during fabrication on the real-scale in heavy components. Results show for all three cases comparable high tensile residual stresses up to yield strength with high gradients in the weld metal and the heat affected zone. Those high tensile stresses can be significant for cracking during further PWHT.
Die Verwendung von LTT-Zusatzwerkstoffen stellt einen alternativen Ansatz zu den sonst üblichen Verfahren der Schweißnahtnachbehandlung zur Schwingfestigkeitserhöhung geschweißter Stahlkonstruktionen dar. Der wesentliche Wirkmechanismus beruht auf der Beeinflussung des Eigenspannungszustands durch die niedrige Martensitstarttemperatur bereits während des Schweißens. Dadurch werden die Druckeigenspannungen aus der behinderten Volumenausdehnung infolge Phasenumwandlung voll wirksam. Weiter weist die Schweißnaht eine hohe Härte auf, die die Schwingrissbildung verzögern kann, allerdings auch zu einer niedrigen Kerbschlagarbeit führt.
Im ersten Teil dieses Beitrages werden grundlegende Untersuchungen zur schweißtechnischen Verarbeitung eines LTT-Zusatzwerkstoffes präsentiert. Dies beinhaltet zunächst die Sicherstellung der Schweißbarkeit sowie die Charakterisierung der Schweißgefüge und deren Härte mit dem Ziel, reproduzierbare Verbindungseigenschaften für die nachfolgende Schwingfestigkeitsprüfung herzustellen.
Der zweite Teil des Beitrages beschäftigt sich mit den dazugehörigen Schwingfestigkeitsuntersuchungen an den Stählen S355J2 und S960Q unter Verwendung konventioneller Zusatzwerkstoffe im Vergleich zum LTT-Zusatz. Das verwendete Schweißdetail ist eine Verbindungsschweißung am Stumpfstoß unter Variation der Schweißnahtausführung (DY-Naht und V-Naht). Weitergehend wird eine bauteilähnliche Probe (die Längssteife) untersucht, bei der der LTT-Zusatzwerkstoff als zusätzliche Schweißlage aufgebracht wurde. Neben der Schwingfestigkeit werden die Schweißnähte hinsichtlich der Eigenspannungen, der Eigenspannungsstabilität im Schwingversuch sowie metallo-grafisch charakterisiert. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass LTT-Zusatzwerkstoffe unter Einhaltung wesentlicher Konstruktionsrichtlinien zu einem deutlichen Anstieg der Schwingfestigkeit führen. Dadurch kann das Leichtbaupotential hochfester Stahlgüten genutzt werden.
Additive Manufacturing (AM) through the Selective Laser Melting (SLM) route offers ample scope for producing geometrically complex parts compared to the conventional subtractive manufacturing strategies. Nevertheless, the residual stresses which develop during the fabrication can limit application of the SLM components by reducing the load bearing capacity and by inducing unwanted distortion, depending on the boundary conditions specified during manufacturing. The present study aims at characterizing the residual stress states in the SLM parts using different diffraction methods. The material used is the nickel based superalloy Inconel 718. Microstructure as well as the surface and bulk residual stresses were characterized. For the residual stress analysis, X-ray, synchrotron and neutron diffraction methods were used. The measurements were performed at BAM, at the EDDI beamline of -BESSY II synchrotronand the E3 line -BER II neutron reactor- of the Helmholtz-Zentrum für Materialien und Energie (HZB) Berlin. The results reveal significant differences in the residual stress states for the different characterization techniques employed, which indicates the dependence of the residual state on the penetration depth in the sample. For the surface residual stresses, longitudinal and transverse stress components from X-ray and synchrotron agree well and the obtained values were around the yield strength of the material. Furthermore, synchrotron mapping disclosed gradients along the width and length of the sample for the longitudinal and transverse stress components. On the other hand, lower residual stresses were found in the bulk of the material measured using neutron diffraction. The longitudinal component was tensile and decreased towards the boundary of the sample. In contrast, the normal component was nearly constant and compressive in nature. The transversal component was almost negligible. The results indicate that a stress re-distribution takes place during the deposition of the consecutive layers. Further investigations are planned to study the phenomenon in detail.
Submerged arc welded (SAW) components of creep-resistant low-alloyed Cr-Mo-V steels are used for thick-walled heavy petrochemical reactors (wall-thickness up to 475 mm) as well as employed in construction of modern high-efficient fossil fired power plants. These large components are accompanied by significant restraints during welding fabrication, especially at positions of different thicknesses like welding of nozzles. As a result, residual stresses occur, playing a domi-nant role concerning so-called stress relief cracking (SRC) typically during post weld heat treat-ment (PWHT). Besides specific metallurgical factors (like secondary hardening due to re-precipitation), high tensile residual stresses are a considerable influence factor on SRC. For the assessment of SRC susceptibility of certain materials mostly mechanical tests are applied which are isolated from the welding process. Conclusions regarding the influence of mechanical factors are rare so far. The present research follows an approach to reproduce loads, which occur during welding of real thick-walled components scaled to laboratory conditions by using tests designed on different measures. A large-scale slit specimen giving a high restraint in 3 dimensions by high stiffness was compared to a medium-scale multi-pass welding U-profile specimen showing a high degree of restraint in longitudinal direction and a small-scale TIG-re-melted specimen. The small-scale specimens were additionally subjected to mechanical bending to induce loads that are found during fabrication on the real-scale in heavy components. Results show for all three cases compa-rable high tensile residual stresses up to yield strength with high gradients in the weld metal and the heat affected zone. Those high tensile stresses can be significant for cracking during further PWHT.
Der zunehmende Bedarf an hochfesten Feinkornbaustählen in modernen Schweißkonstruktionen, in einer deutlich wachsenden Anzahl von Branchen wie dem Hoch-, Anlagen- und Kranbau, führte in den letzten Jahren zur Entwicklung zahlreicher Grund- und Zusatzwerkstoffe. Neben der Erreichung anforderungsgerechter mechanischer Eigenschaften wird die wirtschaftliche Verarbeitung dieser Güten durch hohe Sicherheitsanforderungen an die Schweißnaht bestimmt. Hohe Zugeigenspannungen in der Schweißverbindung können die Beanspruchbarkeit und Sicherheit eines geschweißten Bauteils wesentlich reduzieren. Insbesondere bei einer hohen konstruktiven Schrumpfbehinderung können die Beanspruchungen auch schon während der Fertigung ein risskritisches Niveau erreichen.
Mittels geeigneten Wärmeführungen beim Schweißen und der adäquaten Auswahl von Schweißprozess und Zusatzwerkstoffen ist sowohl eine Minimierung der sich lokal in der Naht bildenden Zugeigenspannungen als auch der globalen infolge von Abstützeffekten auftretenden Reaktionsspannungen und -momente erzielbar. Im Rahmen zweier AiF-Forschungsvorhaben IGF.-Nr. 17267 N und 17978 N wurden verschiedene experimentelle Beanspruchungsanalysen durchgeführt, um den Schweißprozess hinsichtlich der resultierenden schweißbedingten Beanspruchungen zu untersuchen. Hierfür war es erforderlich, die Steifigkeitsverhältnisse so wie sie beim Schweißen realer Bauteilstrukturen auftreten, auf Schweißexperimente im Labor zu übertragen.
Dazu wurde bspw. eine an der BAM eigens entwickelte Prüfanlage eingesetzt, mit der die mehraxialen Belastungen analysiert wurden, die mit bis zu 2 MN beim Vorwärmen, Schweißen und Abkühlen auftreten. Die Schweißeigenspannungen wurden mittels Röntgendiffraktometrie bestimmt. Zwar zeigten sich für niedrige Arbeitstemperaturen beim Schweißen ein signifikant reduziertes Gesamtbeanspruchungsniveau nach der Abkühlung der gesamten Schweißnaht. Die langen Abkühlphasen während der mehrlagigen schweißtechnischen Fertigung führen jedoch speziell bei den ersten Schweißraupen zu sehr hohen Reaktionsspannungen. Dabei erwiesen sich schmalere Nahtfugen verbunden mit dem Einsatz modifizierter Schweißprozesse und der Einsatz dehnfähiger Schweißzusätze für das Wurzelschweißen als geeignete Mittel, um eine deutliche Absenkung des Beanspruchungsniveaus beim Schweißen unter Schrumpfbehinderung zu erreichen. Ferner ist damit eine weitere wesentliche Reduzierung der Gesamtbeanspruchung und insbesondere der Zugeigenspannungen in der WEZ möglich. Mithilfe dieser Erkenntnisse ist die Optimierung der schweißbedingten Beanspruchungen unter Nutzung einer adaptierten Wärmeführung zur verbesserten Ausnutzung des Festigkeitspotentials höherfester Feinkornbaustähle erreichbar.
Additive Manufacturing (AM) of metals has become industrially viable for a large variety of applications, including aerospace, automotive and medicine. Powder bed techniques such as Selective Laser Melting (SLM) based on layer-by-layer deposition and laser melt enable numerous degrees of freedom for the geometrical design. Developing during the manufacturing process, residual stresses may limit the application of SLM parts by reducing the load bearing capacity as well as induce unwanted distortion depending on the boundary conditions specified in manufacturing.
The residual stress distribution in the bulk of IN718 elongated prisms produced by SLM was studied non-destructively by means of neutron diffraction. The samples with different scanning strategies, i.e. hatching length, were measured in as-build condition (on a build plate) and after removal from the build plate.
The absolute values of all stress components decreased after removal from the build plate. Together with surface scan utilizing a coordinate-measuring machine (CMM), it is possible to link the stress release to the sample distortion. Obtained results indicated different residual stress states for each of the transversal, longitudinal and normal component depending on the thermal gradient in the respective direction.
The influence of the support structure on residual stress and distortion in SLM Inconel 718 parts
(2018)
The effect of support structure and of removal from the base plate on the residual stress state in selective laser melted IN718 parts was studied by means of synchrotron X-ray diffraction. The residual stresses in subsurface region of two elongated prisms in as-built condition and after removal from the base plate were determined. One sample was directly built on a base plate and another one on a support structure. Also, the distortion on the top surface due to stress release was measured by contact profilometry. High tensile residual stress values were found, with pronounced stress gradient along the hatching direction. In the sample on support, stress redistribution took place after removal from the base plate, as opposed to simple stress relaxation for the sample without support. The sample on support structure showed larger distortion compared to sample without support. We conclude that the use of a support decreases stress values but stress-relieving heat treatments are still needed.
The phase transformation under various cooling rates and in different HAZ regions for high-strength armour steel was analysed by dilatometry. To develop a continuous cooling transformation (CCT) diagram, the samples were heated up to a peak temperature of 1250 °C to achieve a coarse-grained microstructure and then cooled down with a cooling time t 8/5 varying from 3 to 240 s. Analysis of dilatation curves revealed the austenite decomposition process, during which transformation temperatures were determined. The results showed martensitic transformations for all welding-relevant cooling times. Furthermore, to analyse different heat-affected subzones of the weld, the peak temperature was varied between 550 and 1250 °C at a constant cooling time t 8/5 of 6 s. The simulated coarse-grained heat-affected zone (CGHAZ) and fine-grained-heat affected zone (FGHAZ) showed only martensitic transformations with transformation temperatures below 400 °C. The steel exhibited an inhomogeneous hardness with hardening in the CGHAZ and FGHAZ and softening in the intercritical and subcritical HAZ. The physically simulated microstructure was validated by a real hybrid laser-arc weld microstructure.
Influence of deposition hatch length on residual stress in selective laser melted Inconel 718
(2018)
The present study aims to evaluate the bulk residual stresses in SLM parts by using neutron diffraction measurements performed at E3 line -BER II neutron reactor- of Helmholtz-Zentrum für Materialien und Energie (HZB) Berlin. Together with microstructure characterization and distortion measurements, it is possible to describe the stress state throughout the whole sample. The sample was measured in as-build condition (on a build plate) and after releasing from the build plate. The used material is the nickel based superalloy 718. This alloy is widely used in aerospace and chemical industries due to its superior corrosion and heat resistant properties.
Obtained results indicated different residual stress states for each of the transversal, longitudinal and normal component. The normal and transversal component exhibits a rather compressive behavior while the longitudinal was tensile in the center part of the sample and became compressive towards the tip. As expected, the absolute values of all stress components decreased after releasing the sample from the building plate. A surface scan utilizing a coordinate-measuring machine (CMM) allowed us to present top surface distortion before and after releasing. The top surface showed a distortion around ±80µm after releasing. Microstructure evolution in the scanning-building cross-section is largely dominated by columnar grains. In addition, many small random orientated grains are prominent in the regions of a laser overlap during SLM.
In summary, for the sample of superalloy 718 manufactured by SLM, a small distortion occurred when removing the sample from the build plate whereby the residual stress state decreases. Moreover, the observed columnar grains in the building direction could give a reason for the lowest stress values in that normal direction. However, the most important parameter controlling the residual stresses is the temperature gradient. Hence, future investigations are planned for a different scan strategy to distribute the laser impact in a more homogenous manner.
In an increasing number of modern steel applications, high-strength structural steel grades are demanded to meet specifications regarding a high load-bearing capacity and a low operating weight. Lightweight design rules enhance the safety requirements, especially for welded joints. Besides a higher cracking risk for high-strength steel welds, the formation of tensile residual stresses might lead to fracture due to overloading or premature failure if not adequately considered. In this study, a stress-strain analysis was conducted at component-related structures from S960QL using digital image correlation while preheating, welding and cooling adjacent to the weld seam. X-ray diffraction analysis of the local residual stresses in the weld seam showed a good comparability with global analyses using either a DIC system or a special testing facility, which allowed in situ measurements of welding loads. By analysing two different seam geometries, it could be shown that lower multi-axial stresses arise if a narrower weld groove is used. Comparative analyses revealed a direct correlation of the local residual stresses in the weld with transverse shrinkage restraint, whereas the residual stress level in the HAZ is significantly affected by the bending restraint of the weld construction and the occurring bending stresses, respectively.
Beim Schweißen höherfester Stähle mit LTT-Zusatzwerkstoffen im Wurzelbereich der Schweißverbindung wird eine Erhöhung der Kaltrisssicherheit durch die Erzeugung von Druckeigenspannungen erreicht.
Es sind mechanische Gütewerte und Eigenspannungen in Abhängigkeit der Randbedingungen, insbesondere der Wärmeführung und des Nahtaufbaus im Wurzelbereich, systematisch zu ermitteln. Durch das Ableiten von Verarbeitungsempfehlungen wird eine sichere und optimale Handhabung der LTT-Zusätze ermöglicht.
Ziel ist die Entwicklung eines Maßnahmenkatalogs für die schweißtechnische Verarbeitung von LTT-Zusatzwerkstoffen zur Kaltrissvermeidung im Wurzelbereich höherfester Schweißverbindungen speziell für den Offshore-Bereich.
Influence of support configurations on the characteristics of selective laser-melted Inconel 718
(2018)
Samples fabricated using two different support configurations by following identical scan strategies during selective laser melting of superalloy Inconel 718 were characterized in this study. Characterization methods included optical microscopy, electron back-scattered diffraction and x-ray diffraction residual stress measurement. For the scan strategy considered, microstructure and residual stress development in the samples were influenced by the support structures. However, crystallographic texture intensity and the texture components formed within the core part of the samples were almost independent of the support. The formation of finer grains closer to the support as well as within the columnar grain boundaries resulted in randomization and texture intensity reduction by nearly half for the sample built on a lattice support. Heat transfer rates dictated by the support configurations in addition to the scan strategy influenced the microstructure and residual stress development in selective laser-melted Inconel 718 samples.