Journal of Welding Science

In this study, non-homogenous welding of nimonic 75 superalloy to Monel 400 with 1 mm thickness was investigated with pulsed Nd:YAG laser welding. The mechanical properties of the joint were analyzed with optical and scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, micro-hardness test and tensile test. In the case of non-homogeneous welding of Nimoinc 75 superalloy to Monel 400, defects such as liquation cracks and porosity in the welded samples were observed. these defects were removed with increasing the preheating temperature and decreasing the heat input. The results showed the voltage, pulse width, pulse frequency and welding speed should be selected as 500 volts, 9 milliseconds, 3 Hz and 0.9 mm/s respectively to reach the proper penetration depth. Also, the investigations show that the welding structure is composed of austenitic matrix containing columnar dendrites and some cellular areas. The mechanical properties of the weld metal were reduced after joining and segregation causes a change in the amount of elements and the appearance of intermetallic compounds in the spaces between dendrites and cells. All non-homogeneous samples broke during the tensile test from the weld metal area.

The present study focuses on optimizing the mechanical properties and microstructure of laser welding in Haynes 25 (L-605) cobalt-based superalloy. Initially, the influence of laser welding variables such as laser power, pulse frequency, welding speed, and pulse width on the mechanical and metallurgical properties of the weld joints is investigated. By examining the welding variables, the values of G (thermal gradient) and R (cooling rate) are calculated, and their ratio (G/R) and cooling rate (G×R), which predominantly affect the solidification microstructure, are determined. The structural correlation with the mechanical properties resulting from welding is examined.  In this research, it is considered to obtain the welding variables to create a high percentage of the structure in the form of equiaxed dendrite. Microstructural analysis reveals the growth of equiaxed grains and dendritic structures in the weld zone. The high cooling rate in the weld pool leads to dendritic solidification starting from columnar dendrites at the weld walls and ending in equiaxed dendrites at the center of the weld. The microhardness value in the weld zone is HV 328, which is very close to the microhardness of the base material. The tensile strength of the weld samples reaches about 93% to 94% of the base metal tensile strength. Tensile testing of the weld samples indicates a ductile-brittle fracture. Examination of the scanning electron microscope confirms the presence of dimples, intergranular cracks, and microvoids in the fracture zone.