Experimental Investigation Of Solidification-Mode And Response Surface Modeling Of Ferrite-Content In Grade 304L Pulse GMA Welded Plates

• Published in: Materials today : proceedings Vol. 18; pp. 3876 - 3890
• Main Authors: Saluja, Rati, Moeed, KM
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 2019
• Subjects: Austenitic stainless steel; Delta ferrite; Ferrite number; Hot cracking; Response surface methodology; Hot cracking; Delta ferrite; Austenitic stainless steel; Response surface methodology; Ferrite number
• ISSN: 2214-7853; 2214-7853
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matpr.2019.07.327

Fusion weld deposits or cladded austenitic stainless steel should contain a small quantity of ferrite to control microstructure, as it affects various metallurgical and mechanical properties. On the contrary, presence of excess ferrite in AISI 304L steel might increase the susceptibility of negative metallurgical changes, at elevated temperatures. Therefore, in current research, to restrict and predetermine final retained ferrite in Grade 304L steel plates, a mathematical equation is developed undertaking direct and interaction effects of selected process variables over ferrite using pulse-GMAW opting response surface methodology. Ferrite in terms of ferrite number (FN) has been computed by multiple methods (Ferrite-scope, WRC-1992 diagram) to ensure precision in measurement. Developed mathematical model permits reasonably accurate quantification of ferrite for preferred range of welding current, arc voltage, and gas flow rate for Grade 304L steel joints. However, competing variables increase complexity, hence primary intention is to correlate mode of solidification for Grade 304L welds with variation in ferrite number.