Joining and characterization of SS-430 using microwave hybrid heating technique

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to based upon the joining and characterization (mechanical and metallurgical) of ferritic stainless steel (SS)-430 using a microwave hybrid heating (MHH) phenomenon. Design/methodology/approach The preliminary experiments were conducted using nickel-based powder as interface material using a domestic microwave oven at a frequency of 2.45 GHz and 900 W power for 720 s. The processed joint was metallurgically characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Field emission scanning electron microscopy. Mechanical characterization was done by means of tensile and Vickers’ microhardness testing to check the hardness and strength of the joint. Findings The metallurgical study revealed that the microstructure and formation of numerous phases of Fe2Si3 accompanied by chromium and nickel carbides. The average hardness of 359 Hv at the center of the joint and 637 Hv around the boundaries of the joint was observed. The tensile strength of the joint was observed to 471 MPa with an elongation of 9.02%. The worn surface of the joint signifies the presence of plastic deformation and it was limited due to the presence of harder phases such as Ni3Si and Ni3C. Research limitations/implications The concept of microwave joining of metals is a very challenging task as the temperature can not be controlled in the inert atmosphere of the microwave. It has been also observed that at certain elevated temperatures, the material starts absorbing the microwaves; which is unknown. So, a more intensive study is required to overcome these kinds of limitations. Practical implications MHH technique can be used to process different materials such as ceramics, composites and polymers. SS-430 joined by microwave heating is highly corrosion resistive and has wide applications in refrigerators cabinet panels, dishwasher linings, chimney liners, lashing wires, etc. Originality/value As of the author’s best knowledge, no work has been reported on the joining of SS-430 which has huge potential in the industries. Also, no work has been reported on the characterization of microwave joined SS-430.

Study of metallurgical changes and mechanical properties of dissimilar weldments developed by interpulse current TIG welding technique

This research manuscript compares the metallurgical changes and mechanical behavior of AISI 316 and Monel 400 dissimilar weldments developed by Interpulse TIG welding process with ERNiCrMo-3 and ER316 filler wires. Metallurgical aspects are envisioned by using optical and scanning electron microscopes. Mechanical behavior of welded joints were studied by conducting tensile and microhardness tests. Metallurgical study has shown that the ERNiCrMo-3 filler weldment divulged completely with austenitic phase structure at the weld zone. Also, at the HAZ of Monel 400 clear grain boundaries with fine grains were observed. The mechanical properties corroborated that the weld strength of ERNiCrMo-3 weldment was found better than the ER316 weldment. Microhardness on the weldment made of ERNiCrMo-3 filler has shown higher values than that of base metals. Weldment made by ER316 was observed to fail near the interface of Monel 400 under tensile test due to the existence of micro-pores and partially melted zones. Further, the metallurgical and mechanical properties are compared with that of the weldment developed by TIG welding process.