Direct Observations of the (Alpha to Gamma) Transformation at Different Input Powers in the Heat Affected Zone of 1045 C-Mn Steel Arc Welds Observed by Spatially Resolved X-Ray Diffraction

Journal Article · Wed Mar 16 04:00:00 EST 2005 · Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A

OSTI ID:875944

Palmer, T A; Elmer, J W

Spatially Resolved X-Ray Diffraction (SRXRD) experiments have been performed during Gas Tungsten Arc (GTA) welding of AISI 1045 C-Mn steel at input powers ranging from 1000 W to 3750 W. In situ diffraction patterns taken at discreet locations across the width of the heat affected zone (HAZ) near the peak of the heating cycle in each weld show regions containing austenite ({gamma}), ferrite and austenite ({alpha}+{gamma}), and ferrite ({alpha}). Changes in input power have a demonstrated effect on the resulting sizes of these regions. The largest effect is on the {gamma} phase region, which nearly triples in width with increasing input power, while the width of the surrounding two phase {alpha}+{gamma} region remains relatively constant. An analysis of the diffraction patterns obtained across this range of locations allows the formation of austenite from the base metal microstructure to be monitored. After the completion of the {alpha} {yields} {gamma} transformation, a splitting of the austenite peaks is observed at temperatures between approximately 860 C and 1290 C. This splitting in the austenite peaks results from the dissolution of cementite laths originally present in the base metal pearlite, which remain after the completion of the {alpha} {yields} {gamma} transformation, and represents the formation of a second more highly alloyed austenite constituent. With increasing temperatures, carbon, originally present in the cementite laths, diffuses from the second newly formed austenite constituent to the original austenite constituent. Eventually, a homogeneous austenitic microstructure is produced at temperatures of approximately 1300 C and above, depending on the weld input power.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 875944
• Report Number(s): UCRL-JRNL-210862
• Journal Information: Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A, Journal Name: Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 36A
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
AUSTENITE
CARBON
CEMENTITE
DIFFRACTION
DISSOLUTION
FERRITE
HEAT AFFECTED ZONE
HEATING
MICROSTRUCTURE
PEARLITE
STEELS
TRANSFORMATIONS
TUNGSTEN
WELDING
X-RAY DIFFRACTION