Study on microstructural characterization and local stress–strain behavior of transition zone within K-TIG welded SAF2205/Q235 dissimilar joints

Dissimilar metal welded joints are increasingly and widely applied in any field of manufacturing. Meanwhile, a novel keyhole gas tungsten arc (K-TIG) welding technology presents the advantages of high productivity, high precision as well as low cost. This paper investigated microstructural characterization of K-TIG welded SAF2205/Q235 dissimilar joints with different welding torch deviations. Moreover, evolution of local microstructure and stress–strain behavior from transition zone was discussed by means of crystal plasticity finite element modeling. The results show that solid–solid phase transformation mode in the weld metal changes due to the change of constituent alloy elements. Noted that transition zone on the Q235 side includes compact martensite with high hardness, and the elements and mechanical properties present a severe gradient distribution. Transition zone with high strength has a greater resistance to plastic deformation. In addition, a large strain gradient takes place near the transition zone and on the side of an austenite grain with a high Schmid factor. Besides, the twin boundary is prone to deform at a lower stress level, which leads to a new strain partition. Therefore, stress–strain incompatibility caused by a difference in both mechanical properties and crystal structure is the root cause of K-TIG DMWJs failure