Tensile Characterization of a GTAW Bimetallic Weld Mod 9Cr-1Mo–316L(N) With a New Measurement System for Tensile Testing

Abstract

Mod 9Cr-1Mo steel (T91) is a candidate material for steam generator of SFR (Sodium Fast Reactors). In order to validate this choice, it is necessary, firstly to verify that it is able to withstand the planned environmental and operating conditions, and secondly to check if it is covered by the existing design codes, concerning its procurement, fabrication, welding, examination methods and mechanical design rules. A large R&D program on mod 9Cr-1Mo steel has been undertaken at CEA in order to characterize the behavior of this material and of its welded junctions. In this frame, a new measurement system for tensile testing was developed in the laboratory of structural integrity and standards (LISN) of the CEA (French atomic commission), in order to characterize the local behavior of the material during a whole tensile testing. Indeed, with the conventional measurement system (typically an extensometer), the local behavior of the material can only be determined during the stable step of the testing. So, usually the behavior of the material during the necking step of the step is unknown. This new measurement is based on the use of some laser micrometers which allow measuring the minimum diameter of the specimen and the curvature radius during the necking phase with a great precision. Thanks to the Bridgman formula, we can evaluate the local behavior of the material until the failure of the specimen. This new system was used to characterize the tensile propriety of a bimetallic welded junction of Mod 9Cr-1Mo steel and austenitic stainless steel 316L(N) realized with GTAW process and inconel filler metal. These works lead to propose a tensile curve for each materials of the welded junction.