Measurement of the bead profile and microstructural characterization of a CO2 laser welded AISI 904 L super austenitic stainless steel

Laser welding of AISI 904 L super austenitic stainless steel using a diffusion cooled slab 3.5 kW CO₂ laser and employing two different shielding gases, namely argon and helium, was carried out. The laser weld bead profile depends on various parameters such as beam power (BP), travel speed (TS) and focal position (FP) of the laser spot. These parameters have to be selected suitably to obtain the desirable output. The cross sectioned area of the bead profiles measured using an optical microscope to determine the bead width and depth of penetration. X-ray diffraction used for phase identification confirmed that the weld structure was fully austenitic and dendritic. Hardness was observed to increase in the weld bead with respect to the parent metal and it was related to the microstructural refinement induced by a rapid cooling of the weld zone.     

Microstructure and microhardness analysis of the hexagonal oxides formed on the surface of the AISI 304 stainless steel after Nd:YAG pulsed laser surface melting

The laser surface melting (LSM) technique was adopted to modify the surface layer microstructure of the AISI 304 stainless steel in this paper. The results showed that the hexagonal morphologies have been successfully fabricated on the surface after LSM. These hexagons had side lengths of about 0.5-1 μm and were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM). It was proved by the XRD that the stainless steel surface mainly consisted of γ-Fe, Cr₂O₃, Fe₂O₃ and some manganese oxides. The FESEM micrographs showed that the hexagonal oxides were regular hexagons in geometry. The HRTEM micrographs also indicated the presence of the hexagons on the surface of the stainless steel. The spacing values were calculated from the HRTEM micrograph and the SAED pattern, and the hexagonal oxide phases determined by these spacing values were consistent with those verified by the XRD. After LSM, the microhardness of the stainless steel was significantly improved.     

Spectroscopic, energetic and metallographic investigations of the laser lap welding of AISI 304 using the response surface methodology

Spectroscopic signals originated by the laser-induced plasma optical emission have been simultaneously investigated together with energetic and metallographic analyses of CO₂ laser welded stainless steel lap joint, using the Response Surface Methodology. This statistical approach allowed us to study the influence of the laser beam power and the laser welding speed on the following response parameters: plasma plume electron temperature, joint penetration depth and melted area. A clear correlation has been found between all the investigated response parameters. The results have been shown to be consistent with quantitative considerations on the energy supplied to the workpiece as far as the laser power and travel speed were varied. The regression model obtained in this way could be a valuable starting point to develop a closed loop control of the weld penetration depth and the melted area in the investigated process window.     

Optimal design for laser beam butt welding process parameter using artificial neural networks and genetic algorithm for super austenitic stainless steel

Laser welding input parameters play a very significant role in determining the quality of a weld joint. The joint quality can be defined in terms of properties such as weld bead geometry, mechanical properties and distortion. Therefore, mechanical properties should be controlled to obtain good welded joints. In this study, the weld bead geometry such as depth of penetration (DP), bead width (BW) and tensile strength (TS) of the laser welded butt joints made of AISI 904L super austenitic stainless steel were investigated. Full factorial design was used to carry out the experimental design. Artificial Neural networks (ANN) program was developed in MatLab software to establish the relationships between the laser welding input parameters like beam power, travel speed and focal position and the three responses DP, BW and TS in three different shielding gases (Argon, Helium and Nitrogen). The established models were used for optimizing the process parameters using Genetic Algorithm (GA). Optimum solutions for the three different gases and their respective responses were obtained. Confirmation experiment has also been conducted to validate the optimized parameters obtained from GA.     

AISI 304L奥氏体不锈钢表面微孔结构的强流脉冲电子束快速制备与表征

 利用强流脉冲（HCPEB）电子束技术,对AISI 304L奥氏体不锈钢进行了辐照处理,并利用透射电子显微镜对HCPEB诱发的空位簇缺陷进行了表征。实验结果表明,HCPEB辐照金属可在辐照表层诱发大量的过饱和空位,并形成空位型位错圈和堆垛层错四面体（SFT）。利用金相显微镜、扫描电子显微镜和非接触式光学轮廓仪,对其表面形貌进行了详细的表征,发现电子束处理后的样品表面形成了高密度、弥散分布和尺寸细小的微孔,表面微孔是由于HCPEB轰击诱发的大量空位(簇)缺陷,以线或面等结构缺陷为路径,向表层迁移导致空位的累积而形成的。采用HCPEB技术,选择合适的材料和辐照工艺参数,可以成功地制备出表面多孔金属材料。     

TC4钛合金及40Cr钢破片中绝热剪切带的TEM分析

 对含有约热剪切带（ASB）的TC4钛合金及40Cr钢破片作了扫描电镜（SEM）和透射电镜（TEM）分析。结果表明，TC4钛合40Cr钢中的ASB是由平均直径不到0.3 μm的微晶组成，微晶列有一定择优取向，电子衍射花样表现为不连续的环状。ASB内位错密度均很低，其邻近基体区含有高密度位错，ASB内没有察到相变发生。     

Fiber laser welding of austenitic steel and commercially pure copper butt joint

The fiber laser welding of austenitic stainless steel and commercially pure copper in butt joint configuration without filler or intermediate material is presented. In order to melt stainless steel directly and melt copper via heat conduction a defocused laser beam was used with an offset to stainless steel. During mechanical tests the weld seam was more durable than heat affected zone of copper so samples without defects could be obtained. Three process variants of offset of the laser beam were applied. The following tests were conducted: tensile test of weldment, intermediate layer microhardness, optical metallography, study of the chemical composition of the intermediate layer, fractography. Measurements of electrical resistivity coefficients of stainless steel, copper and copper–stainless steel weldment were made, which can be interpreted or recalculated as the thermal conductivity coefficient. It shows that electrical resistivity coefficient of cooper–stainless steel weldment higher than that of stainless steel. The width of intermediate layer between stainless steel and commercially pure copper was 41–53 µm, microhardness was 128–170 HV_0.01.     

RAFM钢TIG焊和电子束焊疲劳性能实验和分析模拟

利用ANSYS 对低活化铁素体马氏体(RAFM)钢进行非熔化极气体保护焊(TIG 焊)与电子束焊的抗疲劳模拟分析，再利用SDS200 电液伺服疲劳试验机对TIG 焊和电子束焊的两种RAFM 钢试件进行实验。通过施加相同梯度负荷对TIG 焊和电子束焊试件进行焊缝的疲劳性能实验。与实验结果对比分析，结果显示电子束焊优于 TIG 焊，但在一定负载下可以用TIG 焊代替电子束焊。     

Morphological and structural characterizations of different oxides formed on the stainless steel by Nd:YAG pulsed laser irradiation

The effects of laser surface irradiation on microstructure of AISI 304 stainless steel were investigated. The stainless steel surface was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). XRD patterns indicated that different oxides, such as chromium oxides and manganese oxides were fabricated successfully on the surface of the stainless steel by Nd:YAG pulsed laser irradiation. The effects of the growth conditions such as the laser power density on the morphologies of the different oxides have been investigated. From the FESEM, EDS (energy-dispersive spectrum) and TEM observations, the oxides with triangle-like, quadrangular and hexagonal morphologies have been fabricated successfully. The XPS was used to verify the formed oxides which had been detected by the XRD patterns. It was considered that laser power density had a critical role in the formation of different oxides.     

Theoretical and experimental analysis of high power diode laser (HPDL) hardening of AISI 1045 steel

Laser surface hardening makes use of the rapid and cooling cycles produced on metals surfaces exposed to a scanning laser beam without affecting the bulk of the sample. Mechanical and chemical properties of the surface can be enhanced through the metallurgical transformations that take place during the mentioned thermal cycles. Steels and cast irons are the usual materials to be hardened by laser and recently the high power diode lasers (HPDL) became the appropriate tool to carry out this process. In this work, some systematic experiments have been carried out to harden AISI 1045 surface samples by a cw (HPDL) working at different power levels (470, 760 W). The main processing parameters (scanning velocity and density power of the laser beam) were tuned from the prediction realized by the numerical (ANSYS) analysis of the heat conduction involved in the process. Such analysis allowed us to put in evidence the variation of the temperature and the cooling rate of the steel sample surface, affecting the uniformity of the demanding mechanical properties of the surface. In this way, a close-loop temperature control of the surface was justified in order to keep the hardness value within the range required. The formation of martensite phase in the laser treated superficial zone confirmed the hardening of the steel.     

Effects of relative positioning of energy sources on weld integrity for hybrid laser arc welding

This study is concerned with the effects of laser and arc arrangement on weld integrity for the hybrid laser arc welding processes. Experiments were conducted for a high-strength steel using a 4 kW Nd: YAG laser and a metal active gas (MAG) welding facility under two configurations of arc–laser hybrid welding (ALHW) and laser–arc hybrid welding (LAHW). Metallographic analysis and mechanical testing were performed to evaluate the weld integrity in terms of weld bead geometry, microstructure and mechanical properties. The morphology of the weld bead cross-section was studied and the typical macrostructure of the weld beads appeared to be cone-shaped and cocktail cup-shaped under ALHW and LAHW configurations, respectively. The weld integrity attributes of microstructure, phase constituents and microhardness were analyzed for different weld regions. The tensile and impact tests were performed and fracture surface morphology was analyzed by scanning electron microscope. The study showed that ALHW produced joints with a better weld shape and a more uniform microstructure of lath martensite, while LAHW weld had a heterogeneous structure of lath martensite and austenite.     

飞秒激光烧蚀0Cr18Ni9不锈钢精度的影响因素

为了研究影响飞秒激光烧蚀0Cr18Ni9不锈钢精度的因素,采用飞秒激光对0Cr18Ni9不锈钢进行了切割和打孔实验。利用光学显微镜、光学金相显微镜等设备,对不锈钢烧蚀区形貌和切缝显微组织进行检测,基于烧蚀过程中CCD实时采集到的不锈钢表面的激光光斑图样,采用COMSOL Multiphysic数值模拟软件,模拟了烧蚀过程中激光束的发散传播行为,并计算了光束发散角。结果表明:当激光重复频率为5kHz时,厚度为160μm的0Cr18Ni9不锈钢切缝和孔边缘被明显烧黑,切缝处晶粒明显长大,存在热影响区;烧蚀过程中,由飞秒激光超高功率密度所致的金属-空气混合等离子体使光束沿传播方向上发生散射,发散角在6°～10°之间。热影响区的存在和混合等离子体的行为是影响飞秒激光烧蚀0Cr18Ni9不锈钢精度的主要因素。     

Study of technique and performance of laser beam welding for W18Cr4V and 65Mn

In this experiment, we used 7-kW continuous wave (CW) CO2 low order mode laser and YAG impulse laser to deeply weld high-speed steel (W18Cr4V) and spring steel (65Mn). To welded joint, we analyzed its nicrostructure, micro hardness and fracture appearance for different welding technology by metallography microscope, scanning electron microscopy and bending strength test, discussed its action of fracture and the relation between its structural transformation and strength. At last, we offered an optimum welding technology having no welding defect by the comparison and analysis of processing property.     

Improvement of Surface Properties of AISI 304 Stainless Steel by Laser Melting

The microstructures and properties of deep laser melted and rapidly solidified zones produced by a cw power laser on thick plates of AISI 304 stainless steel were studied. Both chemical and mechanical properties of the solidified regions were found to be comparable or better than those characterizing the original material, thus allowing the melting process to be used for technological purposes, in particular for welding. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

CEMS study of stainless steel films deposited by pulsed laser ablation of AISI316

Thin stainless steel films deposited on SiO₂/Si wafer were prepared by a pulsed laser ablation of austenite stainless steel (AISI316), and characterized by conversion electron Mössbauer spectrometry (CEMS) using a He gas proportional counter. As-deposited films were composed of a magnetic phase. When deposited films were heated in air at various temperatures, the hyperfine field of the magnetic phase increased. Hematite was produced on the surface, and the magnetic orientation changed from parallel to in-plane at random with the increase of heating temperatures. The metallic iron and magnetite were produced at 400°C in dry Ar + 5%H₂ atmosphere. When the film was heated in wet Ar + 5%H₂ atmosphere at 600°C, maghemite was produced on the surface, and austenite phase was produced in the inner film.     

Analysis of a fibre laser welding case study, utilising a matrix flow chart

For fibre laser welding of an eccentric corner joint, the quality of the resulting weld cross section was studied with respect to the dependence on process parameters like lateral laser beam alignment, beam inclination, focal plane position or welding speed. The complex load situation of the support beamer was simplified to bending of one corner. Due to fatigue load, the weld properties causing the peak stress are essential, in particular the top and root shape of the weld cross section. For the parameters varied, the resulting shapes were categorized into different top and root classes, determined by certain key dimensions, considering also welding defects like undercuts. The shapes are boundary conditions for Finite Element Analysis of the joint under load for quantitative comparative analysis of the maximum stress. As two high strength steel grades were joined, the hardness transition across the weld was of interest, too. High speed imaging of the weld pool surface shape provided additional information on the relation between the parameter input and quality output. The different trends identified were discussed and guidelines were derived. As the systematic documentation of results is unsatisfactory in welding, a new method was developed and applied for the first time, called the Matrix Flow Chart. It enables an illustrative view on the resulting welding trends in a combined manner and is extendable by other researchers.     

Corrosion behaviour of AISI 304 stainless steel with Cu coatings in H2SO4

The work addresses the influence of cementation and electrodeposition of copper coatings on the corrosion resistance of AISI 304 stainless steel immersed in 30 wt.% H₂SO₄ at temperatures of 25 and 50 °C. Corrosion process was evaluated by gravimetric tests, DC measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The specimen surfaces were analysed by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction. The corrosion performance of AISI 304 stainless steel in sulphuric acid solution was greatly improved by copper coatings. The amount of copper deposited by the cementation process was sufficient to protect the stainless steel of corrosion. A greater amount of copper obtained by electrodeposition treatments does not supply further improvement in the corrosion behaviour. The improved corrosion resistance is related to copper dissolution at the initial stages of immersion tests and the presence of Cu²⁺ in the solution, which makes the medium more oxidizing, increasing the stability of the passive layer. In addition, the presence of copper at the surface reduces the overpotential of cathodic reaction, enabling the transition from an active region to the passive one.     

Measurement of micro weld joint position based on magneto-optical imaging

In a laser butt joint welding process,it is required that the laser beam focus should be controlled to follow the weld joint path accurately.Small focus wandering off the weld joint may result in insufficient penetration or unacceptable welds.Recognition of joint position offset,which describes the deviation between the laser beam focus and the weld joint,is important for adjusting the laser beam focus and obtaining high quality welds.A new method based on the magneto-optical(MO)imaging is applied to measure the micro weld joint whose gap is less than 0.2 mm.The weldments are excited by an external magnetic field,and an MO sensor based on principle of Faraday magneto effect is used to capture the weld joint images.A sequence of MO images which are tested under different magnetic field intensities and different weld joint widths are acquired.By analyzing the MO image characteristics and extracting the weld joint features,the influence of magnetic field intensity and weld joint width on the MO images and detection of weld joint position is observed and summarized.     

Electrochemical recycling of cell phone Li-ion batteries: application as corrosion protector of AISI 430 stainless steel in artificial seawater

This article aims to present a new alternative to waste management of spent Li-ion batteries from cell phones. In this sense, the proposed is recycling the cobalt from Li-ion cathode by electrodeposition and apply it as corrosion protector of AISI 430 stainless steel. Thus, two greatest environmental problems can be solved, producing a low-cost and high-corrosion-resistant stainless steel. The cobalt electrodeposition bath came from acid dissolution of spent Li-ion cathode with chemical formula LiCoO₂. The charge efficiency for cobalt electrodeposition in ?1.0 V and pH = 3 reaches 95 %. A protective layer of Co₃O₄ was successfully obtained by treatment of AISI 430 stainless steel with cobalt electrodeposited at 800 °C for 200 h in air atmosphere. The corrosion current of AISI 430 stainless steel in artificial seawater was reduced from 30 to 0.76 μA cm^?2. The treatment proposed produces a AISI 430 stainless steel with double of corrosion resistance and half of cost if compared with AISI 304 stainless steel.     

Changes in surface properties of nitrogen-implanted AISI316L stainless steel

The effect of nitrogen ion implantation with an energy of 125 keV and doses of 1 × 10¹⁷–1 × 10¹⁸ at/cm² on such tribological characteristics of AISI316L stainless steel as the friction coefficient, wear resistance, and microhardness was studied. The steel surface layer composition was studied by the methods of RBS, XRD, GXRD, SEM, and EDX. The friction coefficient and abrasion resistance of AISI316L stainless steel were measured in air, oxygen and argon atmospheres, and in vacuum. An increase in the abrasion resistance after implantation was detected, which was different for various media. The largest increase in the wear resistance was observed during testing in air. The largest decrease in the friction coefficient was observed for all implanted samples in argon atmosphere. Tribological tests resulted in an increase in nitrogen, carbon, and oxygen concentrations in worn sample fragments in comparison with their concentrations in surface layers immediately after implantation.