1.State Key Laboratory of Advanced Processing and Recycling of Nonferrous Metals, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou 730050, China 2.School of Materials Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou 730050, China
Cite this article:
YU Lei, CAO Rui. Welding Crack of Ni-Based Alloys: A Review. Acta Metall Sin, 2021, 57(1): 16-28.
Recently, Ni-based weldments have been widely used in various industries, including aerospace, nuclear power, thermal power, and petrochemicals. In this paper, the classification and welding methods of Ni-based alloys are introduced. Fusion welding methods were mainly used for the welding of Ni-based alloys because of cost and technical limitations. The mechanism of welding cracks in Ni-based alloys and the effects of various elements on cracks are mainly reviewed. Solidification cracking, liquation cracking, ductility-dip cracking, and strain-age cracking frequently occurred in fusion welding processes. The appearance of a low-melting liquid film has been found to be the main reason for the relative clarity of the mechanisms of solidification cracking and liquation cracking. Ductility-dip cracking is still not clearly defined, and its mechanism in Ni-based alloys remains obscure. Strain-age cracking of Ni-based alloys is unique to precipitation-strengthened-Ni-based alloys and closely related to the precipitation rate. Though much research has been done, impurities and addition of elements have a major effect on welding cracks of Ni-based alloys. Therefore, the influence of most elements alone and the synergistic effects on cracks need further study.
Fig.1 Four types welding cracks of Ni-based alloy[7-10]
System
k
Maximum solubility / %
Final eutectic temperature / oC
Ni-P
0.02
0.32P
870
Ni-S
About 0
About 0S
637
Ni-B
0.04
0.7B
1093
Ni-Si
0.7
8.2Si
1143
Table 1 Equilibrium distribution coefficient, maximum solid solubility (mass fraction) and final eutectic temperature[2]
Fig.2 Schematics of four different microstructures in Nb-bearing Ni-based alloy[2]
Alloy
Precipitate
Ref.
Inconel 718
MC
[8]
Inconel 738
γ', MC, M3B2, Ni-Zr intermetallics
[57,58]
Inconel 617
M23(C, B)6
[59]
Inconel 939
γ', MC
[60]
Rene 80
γ', M5B3
[61]
K465
γ', MC
[62]
Table 2 Precipitate of component liquation in Ni-based alloys[8,57-62]
Fig.3 The mechanism of liquation cracking of 718 Ni-based alloy[8]
Fig.4 Schematic of ductility as a function of temperature[69] (DTR—ductility-dip temperature range, BTR—brittle temperature range, Emin—minimum critical stress)
Fig.5 Influence of intergranular precipitates on grain boundary sliding, strain concentration and void formation[9]
Type
Element
DDC sensitivity
Mechanism
Impurity
H
Increase
The interaction of the increase of the local plastic deformation near the grain
element
boundary and the decrease of the bonding force between the precipitate and
the grain boundary
S, P
Increase
Segregation at the grain boundary reduces the bonding strength of grain
boundary and causes grain boundary embrittlement
Addition
B
Decrease
Increase the bonding force of metal atoms on grain boundary, and increase the
element
fracture resistance of grain boundary
Nb
Decrease
Formation of NbC intergranular precipitate provides grain boundary locking,
changes grain boundary morphology, and hinders grain boundary sliding
and formation of porosity
Mn
Decrease
Strong affinity for S
Ti
Decrease
Formation of Ti rich nitrides and carbides makes the equilibrium phase changes
to (MTi)(CN) during the solidification temperature range, and provides grain
boundary locking effect
Table 3 Summary on the influence of elements on ductility-dip cracking (DDC)[9]
Fig.6 Schematic illustration for strain age cracking (SAC) of Ni-based alloy[76]
Fig.7 Effect of Al and Ti contents on strain age cracking sensitivity of Ni-based alloy [76]
Alloy system
Element
Influence
Rene 41
C
Low carbon content resists SAC
713C
C
Low carbon content is not conducive to resist SAC
Rene 41
B
Beneficial
Rene 41
O
Harmful
Table 4 Effect of alloy elements on SAC of Ni-based alloy
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