Microstructure, Hardness, and Residual Stress of the Dissimilar Metal Weldments of SA508-309L/308L-304L

Weicheng Zhong, Jun Li Lin, Yan Chen, Zhen Li, Ke An, Benjamin J. Sutton, Brent J. Heuser

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

A dissimilar metal weldment consisting of SA508-309L-308L-304L is widely used in light-water nuclear reactors. These weldments demonstrate dissimilar susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking that are related to the microstructure, properties, and residual stress. In this work, microstructures, hardness, and the residual stress distribution of the dissimilar metal weldments were investigated, with the correlation of increased hardness in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) to the microstructure. 304L HAZ demonstrated similar grain morphology as the base material, and the increase in hardness was primarily attributed to the increased dislocation density. SA508 HAZ demonstrated a change of grain morphology resulting from the different peak temperatures and cooling rates. The increased hardness in the SA508 HAZ was attributed to the refined grain morphology, higher dislocation density, and higher number density of precipitates. A ~ 20–30-μm-wide martensitic zone formed at the fusion boundary of SA508-309L, where Cr-rich carbide precipitates were observed, with the average size and the number density of 44.1 ± 16.9 nm and 1.5 × 1021 m−3, respectively. Residual stress results demonstrated the largest tensile stress at 309L butter, indicating its high cracking susceptibility.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1927-1938
Number of pages12
JournalMetallurgical and Materials Transactions A: Physical Metallurgy and Materials Science
Volume52
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2021

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Metals and Alloys

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