Joining Behaviour of Thick Plate Using High-Frequency Induction Assisted Arc Welding

Abstract

Combining a preheating source with conventional arc welding is a promising method to study the weld quality and improvement of strength for high-strength super-alloy materials. The present research used an induction preheating source with plasma arc welding (PAW) to weld Inconel 625 thick plates. The investigation was performed at a constant induction current of 600 A, welding speed of 100 mm/min and a plasma welding current of 135 A. The induction-assisted plasma arc welding (IAPAW) demonstrated that a weld joint was possible with static induction preheating and a high plasma welding current at low welding speed. The microstructural observation showed various dendritic structures in the fusion zone (FZ). The FESEM and EDX analysis confirmed the formation of Laves phase in the interdendritic structure of the FZ. The ultimate tensile strength of the IAPAW joint reached to 658 MPa. The tensile fracture surface of the welded sample revealed a lower number of dimples, indicating the reduction of ductility. The XRD analysis was carried out at various zones and it confirmed the peak shifting towards the higher 2-theta value of the FZ.

Keywords

• induction heating
• plasma arc welding
• hybrid welding
• microstructure
• tensile test