Relationship between microstructure and fracture types in a UNS S32205 duplex stainless steel

Duplex stainless steels are susceptible to the formation of sigma phase at high temperature which could potentially be responsible for catastrophic service failure of components. Thermal treatments were applied to duplex stainless steels in order to promote the precipitation of different fractions of sigma phase into a ferrite-austenite microstructure. Quantitative image analysis was employed to characterize the microstructure and Charpy impact tests were used in order to evaluate the mechanical degradation caused by sigma phase presence. The fracture morphology of the Charpy test specimens were thoroughly observed in SEM, looking for a correlation between the microstructure and the fracture types in UNS S32205 duplex stainless steel. The main conclusion is the strong embrittlement effect of sigma phase since it is possible to observe a transition from transgranular fracture to intergranular fracture as increases the percentage of sigma phase. Thus, the mixed modes of fracture are predominant in the present study with high dependence on sigma phase percentages obtained by different thermal treatments

Life Beyond the Solar System: Remotely Detectable Biosignatures

For the first time in human history, we will soon be able to apply to the scientific method to the question "Are We Alone?" The rapid advance of exoplanet discovery, planetary systems science, and telescope technology will soon allow scientists to search for life beyond our Solar System through direct observation of extrasolar planets. This endeavor will occur alongside searches for habitable environments and signs of life within our Solar System. While these searches are thematically related and will inform each other, they will require separate observational techniques. The search for life on exoplanets holds potential through the great diversity of worlds to be explored beyond our Solar System. However, there are also unique challenges related to the relatively limited data this search will obtain on any individual world

Effect of solidification mode and morphology of microstructure on the hydrogen content of duplex stainless steel weld metal

The evolution rate of hydrogen from a duplex weld depends on sample geometry, temperature and microstructure. These factors have important consequences for the determination of hydrogen in duplex stainless steel welds. Because of the low hydrogen diffusibility and high hydrogen solubility in austenite, a standard method (BS 6693: 1988) which existed to determine the hydrogen content of ferritic steel welds as a means of assessing welding consumables, is not suitable for duplex welds. As a result of extensive research, a modified test method has been used involving encapsulation of the weld sample in Pyrex, evolution at 400 °C for 24 h, and followed by hydrogen analysis in an Oerlikon/Yanaco gas chromatograph. In this present work, the effect of solidification mode and microstructure on weld hydrogen content, and the evolution of hydrogen from such welds has been investigated by using experimental electrodes which are designed to give varying ferrite/austenite ratio in the welds. It was found that the measured weld hydrogen contents were almost constant since they arose from the flux/binder combinations which were the same for each type of experimental electrodes. Thus, the potential hydrogen from each type was the same and similar amounts became trapped during the rapid solidification of the weld pool, irrespective of final ferrite content. © 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.This study was carried out under the supervision of Dr R. Gee at the University of Leeds, School of Materials. I would like to thank him and the department staff. I would also like to thank Zonguldak Karaelmas University for their financial support. I would like to thank Metroode Welding Consumable Company for their support

Determination of diffusable hydrogen in duplex stainless stell welds [Dubleks Paslanmaz Çeliklerin Kaynaginda Yaymabilir Hidrojenin Deneysel Tayini]

The risk of hydrogen cracking in steel welds depends on a number of interrelated factors, the most important of which is the hydrogen content that originates from the welding consumable. In designing a welding procedure to avoid cracking, it is necessary to define the hydrogen level associated with a given welding consumable, using standard methods. In this study, the Oerlikon/Yanaco hydrogen gas analysis method, which is widely used to determine the hydrogen content of ordinary ferritic steel welds, was modified, and thus the time-temperature relationship of hydrogen evolution from duplex stainless steel weld metal at 200, 400, 600 and 950°C was investigated experimentally and determined theoretically on the basis of BS 6693 samples. It was found that diffusible hydrogen evolution from weld metal heated at 400°C for 24 hours was completed experimentally and theoretically. In conclusion, the diffusible hydrogen amount which is potentially hazardous in the long term in duplex stainless steel weld metal can be easily determined by modification of the Oerlikon/Yanaco methods

Effect of controlled atmosphere on the mig-mag arc weldment properties

Due to their higher welding speed, automation and weld pool protection against to the atmosphere gases, gas metal arc welding (GMAW) process is widely used in industry. Due to the less stable arc associated with the use of consumable electrodes, GMAW process is not clean as good as gas tungsten arc welding process. Furthermore, the greater arc length in GMAW process also reduces the protective effect of the shielding gas. Due to electrochemical and thermochemical reactions between weld pool and arc atmosphere, it is quite important, especially weld metal toughness and joining of reactive materials to entirely create inert atmosphere for GMAW process. Therefore, a controlled atmosphere cabinet was developed for GMAW process. Low carbon steel combinations were welded with classical GMAW process in argon atmosphere as well as controlled atmosphere cabinet by using similar welding parameters. The mechanical and metallurgical properties of both weldments were evaluated. Result shows that toughness of the weld metal that was obtained in the controlled atmosphere cabinet much higher than that of classical GMAW process. The metallographic examination also clarified that there was not any gas porosity and inclusion in the weld metal compared with classical process. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Research Institute for Integrated Science, Kanagawa UniversityThe authors would like to thanks to the Zonguldak Karaelmas University, Institute of Science, Project and Science Research Commission for their financial support of this study