Microstructure Characterization of Duplex Stainless Steel Welding Joint with Different Solution and Aging Treatment

Abstract

The microstructural evolutions of 2205 duplex stainless steel welding joints were investigated in this paper. The specimens were solution treated at 1100°C and 1200°C for 1 h, water quenched and then isothermal aged for various durations at 850°C, followed by water cooling. The volume fraction of ferrite phase in HAZ, weld and base metal of the steel were measured by the ferrite scope detector. The changes of microstructure in sigma (σ) phase, ferrite and austenite phase were analyzed by optical microscope and energy dispersive spectrum. The results show that the volume fraction of ferrite phase increases and the ferrite grain becomes coarse when solution temperature enhances from 1100°C to 1200°C. During the aging, σ phase precipitates at γ/δ phase boundary and grows into the ferrite phase, and a eutectoid reaction of δ→σ+γ2 occurs. With extending of the aging time, the amount of ferrite phase decreases, σ phase increases and thin needle secondary austenite phase distributes across ferrite grains. In addition, high solution temperatures can delay the procedure of σ phase precipitation.