Centerline cracking in electron-beam cap-to-header welds in Type 304L stainless steel

Technical Report · Sun Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1982

OSTI ID:5042281

Lippold, J C

Two sets of cap-to-header EB welds in Type 304L exhibited a significant difference in hot cracking susceptibility which could be associated with the heat-to-heat variations in chemical composition and the resultant change in solidification behavior of the fusion zone. In one case, solidification of the entire fusion zone occurred with delta ferrite as the primary phase of solidification and resulted in crack-free weldments. In the other case, a localized shift from solidification as delta ferrite to solidification as austenite along the weld centerline was accompanied by hot cracking in the austenitic region. Segregation of nitrogen, a powerful austenite former, to the weld centerline promoted the transition to solidification as austenite. Microprobe and Auger surface analyses of the crack-susceptible microstructures revealed that enhanced sulfur segregation accompanied the shift in solidification behavior and was integral in the mechanism of crack formation.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Livermore, CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 5042281
• Report Number(s): SAND-82-8224; ON: DE82020858
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360103* -- Metals & Alloys-- Mechanical Properties
ALLOYS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHROMIUM ALLOYS
CHROMIUM STEELS
CHROMIUM-NICKEL STEELS
CORROSION RESISTANT ALLOYS
CRACKS
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
ELECTRON BEAM WELDING
FABRICATION
FRACTURE PROPERTIES
HEAT RESISTANT MATERIALS
HEAT RESISTING ALLOYS
IRON ALLOYS
IRON BASE ALLOYS
JOINING
JOINTS
MATERIALS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MICROSTRUCTURE
NICKEL ALLOYS
STAINLESS STEEL-304L
STAINLESS STEELS
STEELS
WELDED JOINTS
WELDING