The Effects of Heat Inputs on LDSS 2101 GTAW and SMAW Weld Microstructure and Mechanical Behavior

Abstract

The welding has been utilized to stabilize the phase fractions in the microstructure of lean duplex stainless steel (LDSS) to build massive mechanical structures. The influence of heat input on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and corrosion behavior of LDSS 2101 during the gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) and shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) processes is investigated in the present work. Specifically, we compared the outcomes between low heat input (LHI) at 0.85 kJ/mm and high heat input (HHI) at 1.3 kJ/mm for both welding techniques. Throughout the welding process, ER2209 filler wire was utilized. To assess the microstructural changes in the weldments, we employed an optical microscope, a scanning electron microscope, and X-ray diffraction. The results revealed that the volume phase fraction of ferrite was significantly higher in the LHI sample of GTAW compared to HHI GTAW and all SMAW welds. LHI GTAW welds have 18.2% greater Charpy impact toughness than LHI SMAW, whereas HHI GTAW has 35.7% higher than HHI SMAW specimens. The microhardness of the LHI GTAW weldments increased (from 230 ± 3.2 to 252 ± 4.8 HV10), whereas the microhardness of the LHI SMAW weldments increased (from 227 ± 2.8 to 246 ± 5.2 HV10). GTAW exhibited a fine grain structure, showcasing favorable tensile properties and higher hardness compared to SMAW. Conversely, the SMAW welds and their heat-affected regions exhibited coarse grain structures. These findings highlight the superior performance of GTAW in terms of microstructural characteristics, and mechanical properties when working with LD SS 2101 in comparison to SMAW.