Effect of Heat Input on the Microstructure and Properties of Dissimilar Weld Joint Between Incoloy 28 and Superaustenitic Stainless Steel

Abstract

This work focuses on studying the effect of welding heat input within the range from 1 to 5 kJ/mm on the microstructure and the corresponding mechanical and corrosion properties of dissimilar joint between superaustenitic stainless steel (UNS S31254) and Incoloy 28 (UNS N08028). The two materials were butt-welded with ER NiCrMo3. The metallurgical changes associated with welding of SASS and Incoloy 28 were studied using optical microscope, SEM, and EDX. The mechanical and corrosion properties were investigated using tensile test, Vickers hardness test, and pitting and crevice corrosion tests. The weld metal microstructure showed precipitates with needle-like shape at 3 and 5 kJ/mm. Also, the microstructure showed unmixed zone (UMZ) at the fusion line of both SASS and Incoloy 28 sides at all the investigated heat inputs. The Mo microsegregation within UMZ at Incoloy 28 side increased as the heat input increased from 1 to 5 kJ/mm but that in SASS increased with increasing heat input from 1 to 3 kJ/mm and then decreased with increasing from 3 to 5 kJ/mm. The ultimate tensile strengths for all specimens at all the investigated heat inputs are acceptable. The average hardness noticeably changed in weld metal as the heat input increased from 1 to 5 kJ/mm. Other zones such as HAZ or UMZ did not demonstrate marked changes in the average hardness. The pitting and crevice corrosion rates of the weld joint were found significant at 1 and 3 kJ/mm but insignificant at 5 kJ/mm according to ASTM G48.