«Metallographic investigations in the diagnosis and quality control

of welded joints of austenitic steels»

Performed by: student of group no. 1156 Stepanov D. A.

Kazan 2020
 Object of research
The subject of the study is butt, t-type,

angular and overlapped welded joints (WJ)

of steels 12Х18Н10Т, 10Х17Н13М2Т, TR347
and EN 1.4571, made by argon-arc welding.
The object of the research is the WJ of parts of vacuum technology,

namely their: microstructure, defects, signs of intergranular corrosion, and

ways to improve the structure and properties of the investigated WJ
austenitic steels.
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 Purpose of work

Investigate the structural states of the proposed WJ variants of

austenitic steels made by argon-arc welding and describe in detail the
methods for ensuring their resistance against intergranular corrosion
(IGC) with the presentation of recommendations for the necessary
welding technology and structure to ensure WJ service properties when
operating in an aggressive environment.
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 Main
tasks
1) Formulate the main reasons for the development of IGC in stainless austenitic steels, indicating the
structural defects of their WJ.

2) Apply in the work the method for determining the resistance of WJ of austenitic steels to IGC and
the method for conducting metallographic studies according to the current regulatory documents.

3) Illustrate the paper with the results of studies of WJ (3 types for options of 3 austenitic steels)
performed at the chair of MSW&IS from the standpoint of quality assurance in terms of structure
characteristics and corrosion resistance of WJ.

4) Justify the requirements for the metal of WJ and recommendations for heat treatment and welding
features to ensure their resistance to IGC.

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 Working conditions Material requirement of WJ
The operating temperature range is 470 ... •Corrosion resistance, intergranular
840 ° C, in a hydrocarbon environment. corrosion resistance.
•Lack of structural defects.
•Lack of unwanted phases and structural
structure.
Table - chemical composition in% of the studied steel samples
  C Si Mn P S Cr Mo Ni Ti Nb
<0,03 17,0-   9,0-
12Х18Н10Т <0,12 <0,8 <2,0 <0,02 <0,8 -
5 19,0 <0,5 11,0
<0,03 16,0- 12,0-
10Х17Н13М2Т <0,1 <0,8 <2 <0,02 2,0 - 3,0 <0,7 -
5 18,0 14,0
0,04- <0,04 17,0-   9,0-
TR347 <1,0 <2,0 <0,03 - 0,32-1,0
0,10 5 19,0   13,0
5
16,5- 10,5-
EN 1.4571 <0,08 <1,0 <2,0 <0,04 <0,03 2,0-2,5 <0,7 -
18,5 14,0
 Methods used in the research
In the work was used the methods of metallographic analysis and the method (AMU) which is variety are
used of the method for determining resistance against intergranular corrosion in accordance with ГОСТ 6032.

The preparation of micro-sections was carried out in accordance with РД 24.200.04-90 . The following
equipment was used: cut-off machine TR 100, press Remet IPA 30, grinding and polishing machine Remet
LSA LS2 .

The study of the structure of micro-sections was carried out on the microscope METAM LV-32.

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   Metallographic studies and tests for the resistance of the metal of the
welded joint to intergranular corrosion were carried out according to the
AMU method (ГОСТ 6032).
The samples were kept in a boiling aqueous solution of copper sulfate
and sulfuric acid in the presence of metallic copper.
The duration of exposure in a boiling solution is 8 hours.
At the end of the tests to detect IGC, the plate samples are bent to an
angle of 90°, and the rings are flattened to a distance H mm, calculated by
the formula: according to the requirements of ГОСТ 6032. The flattening
speed of the sample is not more than 25 mm/min.

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 The problem of manufacturing welded joints from high-alloy stainless steels
and their operation at high temperatures and in an aggressive environment
γ
γ

Cr23C6 σ δ
a b
Chromium carbides in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) WJ of steel A312GR
TR347 (a) and δ-ferrite, σ-phase in the fusion surface of WJ from steel

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10Х17Н13М2Т (b)
 Samples of overlapped and butt welded joints after mechanical
tests for flattening and static bending

a c

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d
b
 Samples of the macrostructure of the metal of welded joints after
mechanical tests

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 Influence of the welding mode on the quality of the welded joint
of austenitic steel

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 γ

a b

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The effect of heat treatment on the quality of the welded joint
of austenitic steel

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 tw

14
 δ

tw

15
 δ

a b

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 Conclusions
The aim of the work has been achieved: a comprehensive study of the quality of the metal of butt,
angle and t-type specimens of rings and plates of welded joints of steels 12X18H10T, 10X17N13M2T,
TR347 and EN1.4571, performed by argon-arc welding, based on the analysis of their resistance to
intergranular corrosion by the AMU method was carried out.
Metallographic analysis revealed overheating defects - delta-ferrite and twinning - traces of
microplastic deformation from welding stresses of the second kind in austenite, which reduce corrosion
resistance.
If the welding of chromium-nickel steels is carried out without violating the requirements of RD
(according to СТО 00220368-013-2009), i.e. short beads without overheating, and the conditions for not
exceeding the interlayer temperature of the WJ (at 100 ° C) are met, then the δ-phase does not form in the
metal structure, there are no extended dendrites in the weld, and the level of welding stresses is minimized.
To reduce the formation of the ferrite phase during the welding process, it is necessary to reduce the
introduction of ferrite-forming elements into the weld metal and increase the content of austenite-forming
ones.
Heat treatment - austenitization at 1080 ° С, and for thick-walled joints - stabilizing annealing at
temperatures of 890… .930 ° С and compliance with the requirements of regulatory documents when
welding stainless steels ensure the proper structure and properties of welded joints, reduce welding stresses.

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