Influence of Post Weld Heat Treatment on the Grain Size, and Mechanical Properties of the Alloy-800H Rotary Friction Weld Joints

This study evaluated the microstructure, grain size, and mechanical properties of the alloy 800H rotary friction welds in as-welded and post-weld heat-treated conditions. The standards for the alloy 800H not only specify the composition and mechanical properties but also the minimum grain sizes. This is because these alloys are mostly used in creep resisting applications. The dynamic recrystallization of the highly strained and plasticized material during friction welding resulted in the fine grain structure (20 ± 2 µm) in the weld zone. However, a small increase in grain size was observed in the heat-affected zone of the weldment with a slight decrease in hardness compared to the base metal. Post-weld solution heat treatment (PWHT) of the friction weld joints increased the grain size (42 ± 4 µm) in the weld zone. Both as-welded and post-weld solution heat-treated friction weld joints failed in the heat-affected zone during the room temperature tensile testing and showed a lower yield strength and ultimate tensile strength than the base metal. A fracture analysis of the failed tensile samples revealed ductile fracture features. However, in high-temperature tensile testing, post-weld solution heat-treated joints exhibited superior elongation and strength compared to the as-welded joints due to the increase in the grain size of the weld metal. It was demonstrated in this study that the minimum grain size requirement of the alloy 800H friction weld joints could be successfully met by PWHT with improved strength and elongation, especially at high temperatures.