Search
Filters
Close

Effect Of Microstructure On Mechanical Behaviour Of Ni-Base Alloy Dissimilar Metal Welds

Dissimilar metal welds (DMWs) are commonly used in the pressure vessel nozzle to safe-end weld between the ferritic low-alloy steels (LAS) and the austenitic stainless steels (SS), using a nickel-base filler metal. The complex DMW interface consists of different microstructural regions including, for instance, the heat-affected zone (HAZ), carbon-depleted zone (CDZ), carbon build-up at fusion boundary, partially melted zone (PMZ) and carbide precipitation zone. There is still knowledge lacking on the microstructural characteristics of the interface of DMWs upon post-weld heat treatment (PWHT). DMWs are potential concerns regarding the structural integrity of the nuclear power systems. In particular, the LAS/nickel-base alloy weld metal interface is known to develop a local strength mismatch upon PWHT and during long-term ageing. A significant chemical composition gradient, especially in terms of carbon (C) and chromium (Cr) associated with a complex microstructure have been observed to form at the interfaces. The different welding orientation, heat transfer and PWHT can result in different microstructure and mechanical properties.

Product Number: ED22-17104-SG
Author: Noora Hytönen, Yanling Ge, Zaiqing Que, Sebastian Lindqvist, Jari Lydman, Ulla Ehrnstén, Paavo Rautala,Iikka Virkkunen, Pål Efsing
Publication Date: 2022
$20.00
$20.00
$20.00

Two dissimilar metal weld (DMW) mock-ups, representative of actual nuclear components, are investigated in this work: a Ringhals Alloy 52 DMW mock-up consisting of two Alloy 52 butterings and a TVO Alloy 52 narrow-gap DMW mock-up without buttering. In this study, the microstructure characterization, the micro- and nanohardness measurements and the carbide analysis across the SA508/nickel-base Alloy 52 fusion boundary of these two mock-ups were performed. Different width of carbon-depleted zone and slightly different carbide types in the low-allow steel (LAS) heat-affected zone were found in these two DMWs. The local hardness mismatch and fusion boundary transition zones at the LAS/nickel-base weld metal interface were analyzed for these two mock-ups.

Two dissimilar metal weld (DMW) mock-ups, representative of actual nuclear components, are investigated in this work: a Ringhals Alloy 52 DMW mock-up consisting of two Alloy 52 butterings and a TVO Alloy 52 narrow-gap DMW mock-up without buttering. In this study, the microstructure characterization, the micro- and nanohardness measurements and the carbide analysis across the SA508/nickel-base Alloy 52 fusion boundary of these two mock-ups were performed. Different width of carbon-depleted zone and slightly different carbide types in the low-allow steel (LAS) heat-affected zone were found in these two DMWs. The local hardness mismatch and fusion boundary transition zones at the LAS/nickel-base weld metal interface were analyzed for these two mock-ups.