Weld Metal Microstructure Prediction in Laser Beam Welding of Austenitic Stainless Steel

Analyzing the Influence of Titanium Content in 5087 Aluminum Filler Wires on Metal Inert Gas Welding Joints of AA5083 Alloy

As the demand for lightweight structures in the transportation industry continues to rise, AA5083 aluminum alloy has become increasingly prominent due to its superior corrosion resistance and weldability. To facilitate the production of high-quality, intricate AA5083 components, 5087 aluminum filler wire is commonly utilized in metal inert gas (MIG) welding processes for industrial applications. The optimization of filler wire composition is critical to enhancing the mechanical properties of AA5083 MIG-welded joints. This study investigates the effects of modifying 5087 aluminum filler wires with different titanium (Ti) contents on the microstructure and weldability of AA5083 alloy plates using MIG welding. The influence of Ti contents was systematically analyzed through comprehensive characterization techniques. The findings reveal that the constitutional supercooling induced by the Ti element and the formation of Al3Ti facilitate the heterogeneous nucleation of α(Al), thereby promoting grain refinement. When the Ti content of 5087 filler wire is 0.1 wt.%, the grain size of the weld center was 78.48 μm. This microstructural enhancement results in the improved ductility of the AA5083 MIG-welded joints, with a maximum elongation of 16.64% achieved at 0.1 wt.% Ti addition. The hardness of the joints was the lowest in the weld center zone. This study provides critical insights into the role of Ti content in MIG welding and contributes to the advancement of high-performance filler wire formulations.

A Review on Metallurgical Issues in the Production and Welding Processes of Clad Steels

Carbon and low-alloy steel plates clad with stainless steel or other metals are a good choice to meet the demand for cost-effective materials to be used in many corrosive environments. Numerous technical solutions are developed for the production of clad steel plates, as well as for their joining by fusion welding. For thick plates, a careful strategy is required in carrying out the multiple passes and in choosing the most suitable filler metals, having to take into account the composition of the base metal and the cladding layer. The specificity of the different processes and materials involved requires an adequate approach in the study of the metallurgical characteristics of clad steel, thus arousing the interest of researchers. Focusing mainly on ferritic steel plates clad with austenitic steel, this article aims to review the scientific literature of recent years which deals with both the production and the fusion welding processes. The metallurgical issues concerning the interfaces and the effects of microstructural characteristics on mechanical behaviour and corrosion resistance will be addressed; in particular, the effects on the fusion and thermally affected zones that form during the fusion welding and weld overlay processes will be analysed and discussed.