C. Chen

The Effect of Nb and S Segregation on the Solidification Cracking of Alloy 52M Weld Overlay on CF8 Stainless Steel

The weld overlay of Alloy 52M (a nickel-based filler metal) on a cast 304 (CF8) stainless steel (SS) was made to simulate overlay welding of the safe end of reactor pressure vessels in nuclear power plants. The deteriorated effect of sulfur on solidification cracking of the Alloy 52M overlay was highlighted by using a CF8 substrate with 0.14xa0wt.% S. Severe solidification cracking was observed when Alloy 52M was directly overlaid on the CF8 substrate. To lower the cracking susceptibility, ER 308L was deposited on the CF8 SS as a buffer layer before the subsequent deposition of Alloy 52M. Under such circumstances, the region near the weld interface between the SS buffer layer and Alloy 52M overlay was susceptible to solidification cracking. The formation of γ-NbC(N), γ-Laves, and γ-(Fe-Ni-S) eutectic-type constituents at the solidification boundaries was responsible for cracking near the weld interface. Nevertheless, depositing two layers of 308L prior to applying Alloy 52M could effectively reduce the cracking susceptibility of the overlay.

Effects of Aging Treatments on the Mechanical Behavior of Ti-15V-3Cr-3Sn-3Al Alloy

The effect of aging treatments on the mechanical properties and microstructures of Ti-15V-3Cr-3Sn-3Al (Ti-15-3) alloy was evaluated using tensile, notched tensile, and J-integral tests. The properties for the one-step aged specimens (371 to 648xa0°C for 8xa0h) were compared with those for the two-step aged specimens (one-step agedxa0+xa0426xa0°C/24xa0h). An increase in aging temperature of one-step aging resulted in increased notched tensile strength and fracture toughness of the Ti-15-3 alloy. The second-step aging at 426xa0°C for 24xa0h caused various degrees of hardening in the group of double aged specimens. Comparing to the one-step aged specimens, increased notch brittleness and decreased fracture toughness were observed in the two-step aged specimens. For the specimens subjected to aging at 648xa0°C, the formation of thick α layer at β grain boundaries resulted in lower tensile properties and fracture toughness. The fracture modes of the notch-brittle specimens were strongly affected by the distribution, size, and morphology of the α precipitates.