Evaluation of induced residual stresses on AISI 1020 low carbon steel plate from experimental and FEM approach during TIG welding process

Abstract

Induced residual stresses on AISI 1020 low carbon steel plate during Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding process was evaluated in this study using experimental and Finite Element Method (FEM). The temperature range measured from the welding experimentation was 251°C-423°C, while the temperature range measured from the FEM was 230°C-563°C; whereas, the residual stress range measured from the welding experimentation was 144MPa-402Mpa, while the residual range measured from the FEM was 233-477MPa respectively. Comparing the temperature and stress results obtained from both methods, it was observed that the range of temperature and residual stresses measured were not exactly the same due to the principles at which both methods operate but disparities between the methods were not outrageous. However, these values can be fed back to optimization tools to obtain optimal parameters for best practices.  Results of the induced stress distribution was created from a static study where the thermal results were used as loading conditions and it was observed that the temperature increased as the von-Mises stress increased, indicating that induced stresses in welded component may hamper the longevity of such component in service condition. Hence, post-weld heat treatment is imperative in order to stress relieve metals after welding operation and improve their service life.